2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Pennsylvania

1

Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, PA

Lehigh Carbon Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general education schools in Pennsylvania. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,000. General Education graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. General Education graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $58,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.

3

Butler County Community College
Butler, PA

A rank of #3 makes Butler County Community College one of the best values for general education. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Students borrow a median of $10,836 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $41,492. Set against $10,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Pennsylvania Western University, which ranked #4. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Johnstown, PA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,110, with out-of-state students paying around $13,350. Students borrow a median of $11,732 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,014. Set against $11,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Reading Area Community College
Reading, PA

Reading Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $13,979. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

York College Pennsylvania
York, PA

York College Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. General Education graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $63,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.

8

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Millersville, PA

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,049. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA

Saint Francis University placed #9 among the best values for general education. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,388. Students borrow a median of $30,729 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $63,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.

10

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

11

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $63,073. That is a strong return on a $25,462 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

12

Wilson College
Chambersburg, PA

Wilson College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chambersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $27,100. Students borrow a median of $34,814 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Wilson College earn a median of $58,020 early in their careers. Set against $34,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

13

Albright College
Reading, PA

Albright College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Albright College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. In-state tuition and fees average $29,082. Students borrow a median of $28,958 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Albright College generally make around $38,075. Set against $28,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

14

Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,314 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $30,759 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $59,798. Set against $30,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cedar Crest College admits about 84% of applicants.

15

Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA

Messiah College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,240. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $54,508. Set against $26,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

16

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Bethlehem, PA

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #16 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,500. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.

17

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $59,841. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.

18

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $80,997. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

19

Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University placed #19 among the best values for general education. Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Bucknell University generally make around $64,331. That is a strong return on a $25,951 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.