2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Far Western Region

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 Far Western Region. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career general education graduates make about $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

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for general education. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,525. General Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,430. Early-career general education graduates make about $69,882. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for general education. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $71,800. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

7

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $58,006. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #8 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

9

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

10

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.

11

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,526. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

California State University Channel Islands ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $16,997 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $44,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.

13

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.

14

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,181. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

15

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

16

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #16 among the best values for general education. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,439. Early-career general education graduates make about $62,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #17 among the best values for general education. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,226. General Education graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $70,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

18

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #18 among the best values for general education. 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. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $91,736. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

19

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #19 for value in general education this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,729. General Education graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $60,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

20

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #20 spot for general education value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,492. Early-career general education graduates make about $85,162. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Hawaii West Oahu
Kapolei, HI

University Of Hawaii West Oahu landed the #21 spot for general education value 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%.

22

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #22 among the best values for general education. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,575 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $26,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

23

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #23 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,024. Early-career general education graduates make about $65,425. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

24

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #24 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $60,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

25

Klamath Community College
Klamath Falls, OR

Klamath Community College came in at #25 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Klamath Falls, Klamath Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,965, while out-of-state students pay about $8,025. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,644 in student loans. General Education graduates of Klamath Community College earn a median of $24,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.