DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/general-education/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/general-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/general-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/general-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/general-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/general-education/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/general-education/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 8
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 13.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Education (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Education & Teaching Associate Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Education & Teaching Associate Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Education & Teaching Doctorate & EdD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Education & Teaching Doctorate & EdD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Education & Teaching Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Education & Teaching Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Education & Teaching Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Education & Teaching Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Education & Teaching PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Education & Teaching PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MEd in Curriculum & Instruction" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MEd in Curriculum & Instruction" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Higher Education Administration" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Higher Education Administration" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 8
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 6 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 6
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 6 offers with relevance >= 1.0
2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Central Maine Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in Maine. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,700. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,934. Set against $14,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Maine Community College earned it the #2 place for general education. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,987 in student loans. General Education graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $28,061 early in their careers. Set against $12,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maine one of the best values for general education. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,984. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,975. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Thomas College earned it the #4 place for general education. Located in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,824. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,530. General Education graduates of Thomas College earn a median of $50,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Josephs College Of Maine earned it the #5 place for general education. Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Standish. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,420. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,894. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College Of Maine admits about 84% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of New England came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,210. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,838 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of New England earn a median of $57,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.
