2026 Best Value General Schools

1

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Queensborough Community College the best value for a degree in general in the United States. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $8,884. General graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $26,907 early in their careers. Set against $8,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

A rank of #2 makes Snow College one of the best values for general. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.

3

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. General graduates carry a median of $16,378 in student loans. General graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $16,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Kellogg Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #4 spot this year. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,432. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.

5

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #5 spot this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $14,215 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $33,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,215 median debt.

6

Wayne County Community College District
Detroit, MI

Wayne County Community College District ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,112 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University came in at #7 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,024. Typical student debt for general graduates is $29,000. General graduates of Coppin State University earn a median of $31,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coppin State University admits about 46% of applicants.

8

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for general value this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $15,866. General graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

St Clair County Community College
Port Huron, MI

St Clair County Community College placed #9 among the best values for general. Located in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,212, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. General graduates carry a median of $16,379 in student loans. General graduates of St Clair County Community College earn a median of $32,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Southeast Community College Area placed #10 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. General graduates carry a median of $14,552 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $28,473. That is a strong return on a $14,552 median debt.

11

Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO

Red Rocks Community College earned the #11 position for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. General graduates carry a median of $17,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $72,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Aims Community College
Greeley, CO

Aims Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. General graduates carry a median of $9,062 in student loans. General graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $57,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA

Modesto Junior College landed the #13 spot for general value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. General graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $28,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Community College earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for general graduates is $16,066. Early-career general graduates make about $50,546. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.

15

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,742 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $5,500. General graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla earn a median of $16,702 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

16

Washington State Community College
Marietta, OH

Washington State Community College landed the #16 spot for general value this year. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $45,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Community College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Community College Of Denver earned the #17 position for value in general this year. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,830 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $45,202 early in their careers. Set against $18,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arecibo. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. General graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo earn a median of $13,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.

19

Prince Georges Community College
Largo, MD

Prince Georges Community College earned the #19 position for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,949. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $56,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO

Arapahoe Community College placed #20 among the best values for general. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $21,351 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $54,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO

Front Range Community College placed #21 among the best values for general. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. General graduates carry a median of $24,774 in student loans. General graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $69,776 early in their careers. Set against $24,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo
Fajardo, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo came in at #22 for value in general this year. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fajardo. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Typical student debt for general graduates is $9,000. General graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo earn a median of $5,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.

23

Clayton State University
Morrow, GA

Clayton State University placed #23 among the best values for general. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $30,200 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.

24

Trinidad State Junior College
Trinidad, CO

Trinidad State Junior College placed #24 among the best values for general. Set in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $10,502 in student loans. General graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $42,381 early in their careers. Set against $10,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Washburn University
Topeka, KS

Washburn University placed #25 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $20,822 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $40,052 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,822 median debt.