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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Arizona

16 Colleges in the United States
$11,616 Avg Student Debt
$42,575 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Studies Badge [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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Arizona

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Studies Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in general studies in Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Central Arizona College one of the best values for general studies. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,680 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $32,786. Set against $10,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #4 place for general studies. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt.

5

Mohave Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $34,557. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.

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6
Cochise College crest
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

Cochise College earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,957. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $22,982. That is a strong return on a $9,957 median debt.

7

Arizona Western College earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. General Studies graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.

8

Northland Pioneer College placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,232 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,759. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northland Pioneer College generally make around $17,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Eastern Arizona College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $9,552. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $26,145 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $31,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

South Mountain Community College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.

14

Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,625. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Coconino Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Flagstaff, Coconino Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,907, with out-of-state students paying around $9,987. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,862. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Gateway Community College Phoenix placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,736 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $50,350. Set against $15,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Mesa Community College placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,500. General Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $46,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Paradise Valley Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Arizona State University placed #19 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $44,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

20

Scottsdale Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. General Studies graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $31,759 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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