2026 Best Value General Schools

1

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for general in the United States. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for general graduates is $17,101. Early-career general graduates make about $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

2

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $11,904. General graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

3

Florida Polytechnic University
Lakeland, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Polytechnic University earned it the #3 place for general. Located in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $21,004. Typical student debt for general graduates is $7,500. General graduates of Florida Polytechnic University earn a median of $64,823 early in their careers. Florida Polytechnic University admits about 58% of applicants.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for general. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,488. General graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

5

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

A rank of #5 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for general. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

6

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho placed #6 among the best values for general. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #7 position for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. General graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

8

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #8 for value in general this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

9

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Miami Dade College placed #9 among the best values for general. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. 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.

10

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College landed the #10 spot for general value this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $11,230. Early-career general graduates make about $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University placed #11 among the best values for general. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

12

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University earned the #12 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

13

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #14 among the best values for general. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $45,488. Set against $15,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

15

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $55,876. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #16 for value in general this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,477 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

17

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #17 position for value in general this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,754. Early-career general graduates make about $43,575. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

18

Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College came in at #18 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,969. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #19 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. 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%.

20

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University placed #20 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis landed the #21 spot for general value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

22

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University placed #22 among the best values for general. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $26,475. General graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

23

Monroe College Main Campus
Bronx, NY

Monroe College Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,701. General graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $40,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,701 median debt. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.

24

New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #24 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the general program here. General graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

25

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University earned the #25 position for value in general this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. General graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. General graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.