by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1069 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
The right general studies school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Golden West College tops our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools in the United States. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,348 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,322. That is a strong return on a $9,348 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,987 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $23,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Middlesex Community College Bedford one of the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,928 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $31,451 early in their careers. Set against $7,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Moraine Valley Community College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
El Centro College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,060. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,925 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,168. That is a strong return on a $12,925 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,453 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #12 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $7,104 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Set against $7,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $31,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,792. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Alvin Community College came in at #15 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,081 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $35,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #16 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,750 in student loans. General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $32,568 early in their careers. Set against $6,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $21,176. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans. General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $34,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,600 median debt.
College Of The Mainland ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,368. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College landed the #20 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $27,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,342. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Kankakee Community College earned the #22 position for value in general studies this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Students borrow a median of $5,900 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,900 median debt.
Joliet Junior College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College earned the #25 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $17,223. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for general studies this year:
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These institutions also earned high marks for general studies value:
A few more high-value general studies schools worth a look:
General Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
The ranking above is published 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 · 1069 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 472 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.