2026 Best Value General Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among general schools in the United States. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for general graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

2

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan Technological University earned it the #2 place for general. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. General graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.

3

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

A rank of #3 makes University Of Delaware one of the best values for general. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. 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. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

4

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #4 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. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

5

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

6

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #6 spot for general value this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. General graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $51,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.

7

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in general this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. General graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $45,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

8

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,742. Early-career general graduates make about $55,793. Set against $23,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

9

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. General graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

10

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #10 among the best values for general. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. General graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $55,226. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

11

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #11 position for value in general this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

12

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University landed the #12 spot for general value this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. General graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. General graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. Set against $26,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.