by our College Data Analytics Team
[General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/geography-and-environmental-studies/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general students.
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The right general school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value General Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for general graduates is $17,669. Early-career general graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for general. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for general graduates is $17,779. General graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $43,822 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. General graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for general. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin La Crosse one of the best values for general. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,551. General graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $49,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
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Old Dominion University landed the #6 spot for general value this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Kansas placed #8 among the best values for general. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. General graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. General graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #9 for value in general this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $58,084. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. General graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
South Dakota State University placed #11 among the best values for general. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #12 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $46,572. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #13 among the best values for general. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. General graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $49,179. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $41,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #15 position for value in general this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for general value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. General graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #17 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. General graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #18 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,373. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Oregon earned the #19 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $44,628. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Alabama came in at #20 for value in general this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the general program here. General graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #21 position for value in general this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford earned the #22 position for value in general this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,177 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $49,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,177 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Clark University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. General graduates carry a median of $26,153 in student loans. General graduates of Clark University earn a median of $43,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College landed the #24 spot for general value this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Macalester College came in at #25 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,104 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,147 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $42,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for general this year:
Learn about other programs related to General that might interest you.
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General is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
