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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value General Bachelor’s Degree Schools

4 Colleges in the United States
$23,018 Avg Student Debt
$63,172 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Bachelor's Degree Badge [General](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/philosphy-politics-and-economics/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 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Schools

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2026 list of the best value general schools in the United States. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general graduates is $19,137. General graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for general. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,861. General graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3

Northern Arizona University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,645. General graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes Bowling Green State University Main Campus one of the best values for general. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $45,196. That is a strong return on a $25,449 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

5
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN

A rank of #5 makes Wabash College one of the best values for general. Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crawfordsville. In-state tuition and fees average $50,800. General graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Wabash College generally make around $40,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

Other General Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General
Associate's Degrees in General
Master's Degrees in General
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View All General Rankings >

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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 · 21 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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