by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Snow College tops our 2026 list of the best value general education schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Colorado Mountain College one of the best values for general education. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,953. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,694. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southern Utah University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $71,314. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #5. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $80,930 early in their careers. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
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Lewis Clark State College came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,781. General Education graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of $44,496 early in their careers. Set against $23,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Idaho came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,844. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,246. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Colorado State University Pueblo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $48,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,484 in student loans. General Education graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $49,122 early in their careers. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
The University Of Montana Western placed #10 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,669, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. Set against $22,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
Mesa State College came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,796. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Western State College Of Colorado placed #12 among the best values for general education. Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Gunnison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, with out-of-state students paying around $24,434. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,455 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,949. That is a strong return on a $23,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Idaho State University came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,640. General Education graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,974. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $46,262. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #15 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,936 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $45,284. Set against $27,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Boise State University came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,059. That is a strong return on a $24,311 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.