by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 20 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.
Leading the list is Ivy Tech Community College, our #1 best value for general education in Indiana. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,874 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $26,848. That is a strong return on a $10,874 median debt.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $64,435. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Purdue University Northwest, which ranked #3. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,083. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $49,025. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Earlham College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,125. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,038. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.