2026 Best Value General Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for general in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for general graduates is $11,691. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.

2

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #2 place for general. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,181. Early-career general graduates make about $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

3

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Mississippi Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,444. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.

5

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Arlington earned it the #5 place for general. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,632. General graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

6

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas earned the #6 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

7

University Of Houston Downtown
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Downtown came in at #7 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,925. General graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $46,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.

8

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #8 for value in general this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,657. General graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

9

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. General graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

10

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo landed the #10 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. General graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $39,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

11

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #11 for value in general this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. General graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $54,278. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Typical student debt for general graduates is $29,026. General graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $54,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.

13

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #13 position for value in general this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,659. Early-career general graduates make about $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

14

Suny College At Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY

Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Typical student debt for general graduates is $24,217. General graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $38,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

15

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. General graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. General graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $57,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

16

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #16 spot for general value this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. General graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.

17

Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University landed the #17 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,577. Typical student debt for general graduates is $35,890. General graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $57,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,890 median debt.

18

University Of Charleston
Charleston, WV

University Of Charleston came in at #18 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,617. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,646. General graduates of University Of Charleston earn a median of $64,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Charleston admits about 62% of applicants.

19

Long Island University C W Post Campus
Brookville, NY

Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #19 position for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. General graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $61,547. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

20

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #20 among the best values for general. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. General graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. General graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

21

Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University earned the #21 position for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,400. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $50,474 early in their careers. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

22

University Of La Verne
La Verne, CA

University Of La Verne placed #22 among the best values for general. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. General graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of La Verne admits about 71% of applicants.

23

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University placed #23 among the best values for general. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

24

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

25

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,008. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.