by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general studies, no school beat Hinds Community College this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,603 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $20,965. That is a strong return on a $9,603 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coahoma Community College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,601 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $20,069. Set against $6,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Mississippi Delta Community College one of the best values for general studies. Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Mississippi Delta Community College earn a median of $18,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Itawamba Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $19,091 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holmes Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,789 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $25,496 early in their careers. Set against $11,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Northwest Mississippi Community College came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,885. General Studies graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $21,515 early in their careers. Set against $6,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $21,260. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Northeast Mississippi Community College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Booneville, Northeast Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $7,750. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,011 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Northeast Mississippi Community College earn a median of $21,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,011 median debt.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $25,450 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,174. Set against $25,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Mississippi Valley State University landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,692. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,919. Mississippi Valley State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Delta State University came in at #11 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,605. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $29,250. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,580. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Mississippi University For Women earned the #12 position for value in general studies this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $8,492 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $29,673. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,811. Set against $29,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Alcorn State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,785. General Studies graduates carry a median of $39,250 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $26,269 early in their careers. Set against $39,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #14 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $28,438. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,800. That is a strong return on a $28,438 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Mississippi State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $28,435. Early-career general studies graduates make about $36,318. Set against $28,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
William Carey University landed the #16 spot for general studies value this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $46,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $48,911 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,812. Set against $48,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.