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2026 Best Value General Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/economics-and-computer-science/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for general students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Bachelor’s Degree General Schools
• Other Degree Levels

2026 Best Value General Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Schools

1

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

$62,396 In-State Tuition & Fees

$13,516 Avg Student Debt

$143,372 Median Earnings (10yr)

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology tops our 2026 list of the best value general schools in the United States. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

$65,790 In-State Tuition & Fees

$17,553 Avg Student Debt

$86,182 Median Earnings (10yr)

Washington University In St Louis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. General graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

Other General Degree Levels

Explore the best-value general schools at other degree levels:

View All General Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.