2026 Best Value General Education Master’s Degree 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. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. 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. General Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $68,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. 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. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $69,882. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

4

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for general education. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. General Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

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. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. 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. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,649. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

8

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

9

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

10

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,671. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

11

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,492. Early-career general education graduates make about $77,526. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,277. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,249. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.

13

California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

California State University Channel Islands came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $16,997 median debt. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.

14

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #14 among the best values for general education. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,729. General Education graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $76,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

15

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos landed the #15 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $77,823. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.

16

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #16 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. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $71,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

17

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $70,724. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

18

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,026. General Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

19

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,101. Early-career general education graduates make about $61,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

20

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #20 position for value in general education this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,572. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

21

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $71,314. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. 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. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $76,750 early in their careers. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

23

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned the #23 position for value in general education this year. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $62,750. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #24 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $61,708. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming landed the #25 spot for general education value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $67,730. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.