by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general education, no school beat Cuny Bronx Community College this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $35,768. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Suny Empire State College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,422 in student loans. General Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $39,046 early in their careers. Set against $21,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercy College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $28,304. General Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Cuny Laguardia Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,858. Early-career general education graduates make about $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Niagara University one of the best values for general education. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,208. General Education graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
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College Of Mount Saint Vincent landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,540. Students borrow a median of $26,385 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,519. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. Saint Thomas Aquinas College admits about 93% of applicants.
University At Buffalo landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $46,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Adelphi University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,487. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $26,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
Colgate University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,286. General Education graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Rochester came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
New York University landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,375. General Education graduates of New York University earn a median of $60,354 early in their careers. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.