by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 94 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general education schools.
What’s on this page:
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 Highland Community College Highland this year. Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Highland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $22,909. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned it the #2 place for general education. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Missouri University Of Science And Technology one of the best values for general education. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $33,449. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,247. That is a strong return on a $33,449 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Barton County Community College one of the best values for general education. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,792. General Education graduates of Barton County Community College earn a median of $44,536 early in their careers. Set against $14,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Mayville State University placed #6 among the best values for general education. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,464 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,971. Set against $27,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University placed #7 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,872. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #8 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,016. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,867. Set against $27,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Kansas State University came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Bemidji State University placed #10 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Set against $25,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies placed #11 among the best values for general education. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,033. Early-career general education graduates make about $38,945. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Winona State University placed #12 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,019. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Capella University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. General Education graduates of Capella University earn a median of $74,309 early in their careers. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $50,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #15 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,260. General Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $51,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #16 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Harris Stowe State University placed #17 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,478 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $28,500. Set against $35,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tabor College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $36,200. Median earnings reach $54,058 ten years out. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Fontbonne University placed #19 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,976. Students borrow a median of $33,503 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,164. That is a strong return on a $33,503 median debt.
Martin Luther College placed #20 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,120. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,224. Early-career general education graduates make about $31,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #21 spot for general education value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,081. Early-career general education graduates make about $59,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
York College Nebraska landed the #22 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of York, York College Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,370 in student loans. General Education graduates of York College Nebraska earn a median of $34,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Hamline University landed the #23 spot for general education value this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $52,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #24 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $58,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,553. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
