2026 Best Value General Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $30,676. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Set against $30,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

2

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,195 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $50,920. That is a strong return on a $6,195 median debt.

3

Louisiana State University Shreveport
Shreveport, LA

A rank of #3 makes Louisiana State University Shreveport one of the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Students borrow a median of $34,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $34,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

4

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #4 makes Tennessee State University one of the best values for general studies. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $38,562. General Studies graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. Set against $38,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.

5

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

A rank of #5 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for general studies. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $29,723. General Studies graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $55,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,723 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

6

Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN

Tennessee Technological University placed #6 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $21,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $63,938. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

7

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $38,972. Early-career general studies graduates make about $55,105. Set against $38,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

8

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $22,314 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $53,388. Set against $22,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.

9

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $45,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

10

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $19,052. General Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $94,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,052 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $26,094. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

12

Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH

Tiffin University landed the #12 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,790. General Studies graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $51,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.

13

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. General Studies graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.

14

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $42,350. Early-career general studies graduates make about $55,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

16

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University earned the #16 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $55,687 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.

17

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver landed the #17 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,590 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $50,614 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,590 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.

19

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University came in at #19 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

20

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $68,678. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.