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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 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.
Oklahoma City Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools in Oklahoma. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,626. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $22,879. Early-career general studies graduates make about $38,899. Set against $22,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Oklahoma College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,083, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Carl Albert State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,708. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Carl Albert State College earn a median of $26,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,092 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,675. General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oklahoma Panhandle State University generally make around $57,445. Set against $17,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Cameron University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Cameron University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lawton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,095, compared with $16,515 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,189 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Cameron University generally make around $43,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $5,213, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College generally make around $46,400. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,970, compared with $11,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,460. Early-career general studies graduates make about $36,300. Set against $25,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Oklahoma State College earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Wilburton, Eastern Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,767, while out-of-state students pay about $8,383. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,658. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Langston University came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Langston University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Langston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,863, while out-of-state students pay about $14,616. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $35,510. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Connors State College placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Connors State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warner. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,071 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $47,964. That is a strong return on a $16,071 median debt.
Northeastern State University placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,582 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $31,794. That is a strong return on a $30,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #13 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,469, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,280 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Murray State College earned the #14 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Tishomingo, Murray State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,230, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,336. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Murray State College generally make around $23,913. Set against $14,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Muscogee Nation placed #15 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Okmulgee, College Of The Muscogee Nation is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of The Muscogee Nation generally make around $17,525.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $37,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Seminole State College landed the #17 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Seminole, Seminole State College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,460, while out-of-state students pay about $11,790. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,610. General Studies graduates of Seminole State College earn a median of $26,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,610 median debt.
Mid America Christian University landed the #18 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,294. General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mid America Christian University generally make around $43,010. Set against $28,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Nazarene University came in at #19 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,190. General Studies graduates carry a median of $30,754 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southern Nazarene University earn a median of $23,445 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $37,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College landed the #21 spot for general studies value this year. Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moore. Students from in state pay about $17,714 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $30,786 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College earn a median of $38,244 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,786 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Christian University came in at #22 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,180. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,050 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oklahoma Christian University generally make around $49,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University landed the #23 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Bartlesville, Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,550. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $22,291. Early-career general studies graduates make about $64,764. Set against $22,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma Wesleyan University admits about 66% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
