2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Indiana
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 13 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Leading the list is Indiana University Southeast, our #1 best value for general studies in Indiana. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $28,948. General Studies graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland City University earned it the #2 place for general studies. Located in the rural area of Oakland City, Oakland City University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Oakland City University earn a median of $62,655 early in their careers. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,844. General Studies graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $43,637 early in their careers. Set against $25,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Grace College And Theological Seminary one of the best values for general studies. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $21,211. General Studies graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Indiana Wesleyan University one of the best values for general studies. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,352. Students borrow a median of $25,844 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University earn a median of $43,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
