2026 Best Value General Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for general education in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,779 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,779 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

3

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.

4

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for general education. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

A rank of #5 makes Colorado Mountain College one of the best values for general education. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,953. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.

6

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,474 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $38,928. Set against $18,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.

9

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,052. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

10

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #10 for value in general education this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $91,736 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

11

Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,760. Early-career general education graduates make about $40,931. That is a strong return on a $22,760 median debt. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.

12

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,575. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

14

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,201. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

15

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University placed #15 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,211. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,200. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

16

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,755 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $38,392 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

17

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University came in at #17 for value in general education this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,415. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.

18

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #18 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

19

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #19 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Hawaii West Oahu
Kapolei, HI

University Of Hawaii West Oahu came in at #20 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Students borrow a median of $24,333 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,079. Set against $24,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

21

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

22

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #22 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,531. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #23 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,729. General Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $44,201 early in their careers. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

24

Northern Marianas College
Saipan, MP

Northern Marianas College came in at #24 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Saipan, Northern Marianas College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,038, with out-of-state students paying around $5,520. Early-career general education graduates make about $14,891.

25

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $64,435. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.