by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 40 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in North Carolina. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,104. Early-career general studies graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $7,104 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Rockingham Community College one of the best values for general studies. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $30,865. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $38,198. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Cleveland Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,131. General Studies graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $23,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $28,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Craven Community College came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,235. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College placed #7 among the best values for general studies. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,999. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Martin Community College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,523, compared with $8,667 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Martin Community College generally make around $42,820.
Surry Community College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $45,512. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #11 for value in general studies this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,973. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tri County Community College came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Murphy, Tri County Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,508 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,652. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tri County Community College generally make around $23,979.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #13 spot for general studies value this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,481 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College placed #14 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,540, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College earned the #15 position for value in general studies this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,118. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. Set against $9,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,334 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $26,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,334 median debt.
Mitchell Community College landed the #17 spot for general studies value this year. Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,651, while out-of-state students pay about $8,795. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,313. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,667. Set against $6,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,949. Early-career general studies graduates make about $52,951. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $25,355. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Piedmont Community College placed #20 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,556, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $68,517. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Isothermal Community College came in at #21 for value in general studies this year. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,030, compared with $6,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Isothermal Community College generally make around $47,389. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mcdowell Technical Community College came in at #22 for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Mcdowell Technical Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,032, with out-of-state students paying around $6,640. General Studies graduates of Mcdowell Technical Community College earn a median of $56,733 early in their careers.
Davidson County Community College came in at #23 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,980, while out-of-state students pay about $6,588. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Davidson County Community College generally make around $23,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Catawba Valley Community College landed the #24 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,427, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,429 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $23,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,429 median debt.
Bladen Community College placed #25 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Dublin, Bladen Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,314, compared with $7,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,905 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,007. That is a strong return on a $9,905 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general studies:
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This list is compiled 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.