2026 Best Value General Education Schools

1

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

Leading the list is California State University Dominguez Hills, our #1 best value for general education in the United States. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $68,117. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,430. General Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $69,882 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Bakersfield earned it the #4 place for general education. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,822 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

7

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,149. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

8

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,813. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $71,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #9 for value in general education this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $58,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

10

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #10 for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

11

Cuny Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Bronx Community College placed #11 among the best values for general education. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. General Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

13

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #13 among the best values for general education. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

14

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Carroll Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,398. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,058. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #15 position for value in general education this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,492. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,526. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

16

New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,694. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

18

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. General Education graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

19

Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College placed #19 among the best values for general education. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. General Education graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.

20

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College placed #20 among the best values for general education. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,150. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.

21

Roane State Community College
Harriman, TN

Roane State Community College placed #21 among the best values for general education. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $9,408. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.

22

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,474 in student loans. General Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $38,928 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,474 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

23

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

Snow College landed the #23 spot for general education value this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria landed the #24 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.

25

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College placed #25 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.