by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Trinity Washington University earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in District of Columbia. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,610. General Education graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,796. That is a strong return on a $31,194 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of The District Of Columbia came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,200. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,060. That is a strong return on a $11,200 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgetown University earned it the #3 place for general education. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $62,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.