by our College Data Analytics Team
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 153 schools to find the best return on investment for general students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general, no school beat Miami Dade College this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #2 spot this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. General graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. General graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. General graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. General graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for general. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. General graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
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Wilmington University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,054. Early-career general graduates make about $57,142. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #7 for value in general this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,657. Early-career general graduates make about $46,561. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University earned the #8 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,311. Early-career general graduates make about $49,059. That is a strong return on a $24,311 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Drake University came in at #9 for value in general this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,273. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Dickinson College landed the #10 spot for general value this year. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. General graduates carry a median of $19,014 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Dickinson College generally make around $39,937. Set against $19,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University placed #11 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. General graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. That is a strong return on a $23,008 median debt. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General rankings across degree levels:
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 · 153 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.