2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Michigan

1

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools in Michigan. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,665 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,055. Set against $14,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,759 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,759 median debt.

3

Delta College
University Center, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delta College earned it the #3 place for general studies. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $28,721. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.

4

West Shore Community College
Scottville, MI

West Shore Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. West Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Scottville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,387 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of West Shore Community College earn a median of $25,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,387 median debt.

5

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $11,511 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $27,643. That is a strong return on a $11,511 median debt.

6

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,843. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI

Muskegon Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $27,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Alpena Community College
Alpena, MI

Alpena Community College came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Bay Mills Community College
Brimley, MI

Bay Mills Community College landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480. Median earnings reach $30,048 ten years out.

10

Monroe County Community College
Monroe, MI

Monroe County Community College came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,759, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,488. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,539. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.

11

Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Kellogg Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,057 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,616. That is a strong return on a $15,057 median debt.

12

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,250. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Schoolcraft College
Livonia, MI

Schoolcraft College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,734 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, MI

Northwestern Michigan College came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,422. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $28,706. That is a strong return on a $11,422 median debt.

15

Gogebic Community College
Ironwood, MI

Gogebic Community College earned the #15 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Gogebic Community College generally make around $62,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

North Central Michigan College
Petoskey, MI

North Central Michigan College came in at #16 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Petoskey, North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,430, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $10,312 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from North Central Michigan College generally make around $20,834. That is a strong return on a $10,312 median debt.

17

Mott Community College
Flint, MI

Mott Community College came in at #17 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $16,668. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $29,958. That is a strong return on a $16,668 median debt.

18

Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, MI

Southwestern Michigan College came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dowagiac. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,896 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,272. Set against $10,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Jackson Community College
Jackson, MI

Jackson Community College landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,750. General Studies graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $26,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Glen Oaks Community College
Centreville, MI

Glen Oaks Community College came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Centreville, Glen Oaks Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,624. Students borrow a median of $13,764 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,987. Set against $13,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $13,644. General Studies graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $33,777 early in their careers. Set against $13,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Bay De Noc Community College
Escanaba, MI

Bay De Noc Community College came in at #22 for value in general studies this year. Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Escanaba. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214, with out-of-state students paying around $11,453. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Bay De Noc Community College earn a median of $20,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.

23

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #23 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. General Studies graduates carry a median of $32,609 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,742. That is a strong return on a $32,609 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

24

Kirtland Community College
Grayling, MI

Kirtland Community College came in at #24 for value in general studies this year. Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Grayling. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kirtland Community College generally make around $25,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University landed the #25 spot for general studies value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $38,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.