by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 158 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general studies, no school beat El Centro College this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,060. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $31,002. Set against $8,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Brazosport College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $26,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #4 place for general studies. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $27,368. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $35,306. Set against $8,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Central New Mexico Community College came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $31,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $20,366. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $18,506. General Studies graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,200 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,148. Set against $9,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $10,680 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $29,819. That is a strong return on a $10,680 median debt.
Tarrant County College District landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,944. General Studies graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $30,179 early in their careers. Set against $10,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,626. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College landed the #13 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College earned the #14 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Midland College earn a median of $24,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #15 among the best values for general studies. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $23,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $38,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Vista College placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. General Studies graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $25,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Coastal Bend College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,916, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the general studies program here. Median earnings reach $35,086 ten years out. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palo Alto College placed #20 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,430. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Mclennan Community College came in at #22 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,843. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $30,690. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $26,334. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,400 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $39,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,400 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus earned the #25 position for value in general studies this year. Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public school located in the town of Ruidoso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,372, with out-of-state students paying around $3,268. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,110. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 158 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 105 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.