by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general education, no school beat Snow College this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,440. General Education graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Mountain College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,694. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #3 place for general education. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southern Utah University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,000. General Education graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $71,314 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $80,930 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
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Lewis Clark State College earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lewiston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,781 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. General Education graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $48,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,325 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,484 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,122. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
The University Of Montana Western ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. That is a strong return on a $22,484 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,310. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,796. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Western State College Of Colorado landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,434. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,455 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $51,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,640. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $46,262. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #15 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,936. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $45,284. Set against $27,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Boise State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,311. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Set against $24,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.