---

2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in District of Columbia

[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general studies schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value General Studies Schools in District of Columbia

2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in District of Columbia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Studies Schools

1

Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC

$26,610 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,323 Avg Student Debt

$53,804 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Trinity Washington University the best value for a degree in general studies in District of Columbia. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,610. General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $50,283. That is a strong return on a $23,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

2

George Washington University
Washington, DC

$67,710 In-State Tuition & Fees

$22,910 Avg Student Debt

$90,873 Median Earnings (10yr)

Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at George Washington University, which ranked #2. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. General Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. The acceptance rate is 47%.

View All General Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.