2026 Best Value General Schools

1

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Leading the list is Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best value for general in the United States. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

3

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

A rank of #3 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for general. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $25,800. General graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

A rank of #4 makes University Of Delaware one of the best values for general. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $54,155. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.

5

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

6

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky earned the #6 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

7

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

8

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #8 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,843. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $51,693. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. General graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,196 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

10

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama landed the #10 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

11

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. General graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $81,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

12

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #12 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. General graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. General graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.

13

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best values for general. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. General graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $63,515. Set against $27,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.

14

Baylor University
Waco, TX

Baylor University earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,928. Early-career general graduates make about $49,888. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.

15

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University earned the #15 position for value in general this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.