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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Indiana

3 Colleges in the United States
$21,220 Avg Student Debt
$52,112 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Education Badge [General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general education schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Indiana

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Education Schools

1
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Leading the list is Ivy Tech Community College, our #1 best value for general education in Indiana. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,874 in student loans. General Education graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $26,848 early in their careers. Set against $10,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $64,435. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

3

Purdue University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,083. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ball State University earned it the #4 place for general education. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5
Earlham College crest
Earlham College
Richmond, IN

Earlham College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Earlham College generally make around $43,038. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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