2026 Best Value General Studies Bachelor’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 studies in the United States. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. 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. Set against $15,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

2

West Virginia University At Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV

West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,557 in student loans. General Studies graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $32,909 early in their careers. Set against $18,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $22,301 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $43,186 early in their careers. Set against $22,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

4

Northern New Mexico College
Espanola, NM

A rank of #4 makes Northern New Mexico College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,064, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.

5

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,879 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $38,899 early in their careers. Set against $22,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

6

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $24,656 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,860. Set against $24,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

7

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $6,265 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $62,059. That is a strong return on a $6,265 median debt.

8

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,731 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $29,803 early in their careers. Set against $10,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

9

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $21,458. General Studies graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $44,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,458 median debt.

10

California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

California State University Channel Islands landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $44,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $30,676 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

12

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

13

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University
Keyser, WV

Potomac State College Of West Virginia University came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,200. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $28,948 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. That is a strong return on a $28,948 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

15

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #15 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $24,833. General Studies graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $27,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,833 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

16

Louisiana State University Alexandria
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Alexandria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, while out-of-state students pay about $14,725. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria generally make around $32,463. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

17

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University earned the #17 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $28,162 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,304. Set against $28,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

18

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University earned the #18 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $29,248. General Studies graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $32,282 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

19

Louisiana State University Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #19 for value in general studies this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. General Studies graduates carry a median of $34,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $34,855. That is a strong return on a $34,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,323 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $61,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

21

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University placed #21 among the best values for general studies. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,361 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $39,864. That is a strong return on a $21,361 median debt.

22

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #22 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,531. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. General Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

24

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University landed the #24 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. General Studies graduates carry a median of $32,625 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $41,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,625 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming earned the #25 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $27,000. General Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.