by our College Data Analytics Team
[General](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 84 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general degrees they offer, see the list below.
Coppin State University earned the #1 spot for value among general schools in the United States. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. General graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $31,419. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Aguadilla, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,742. General graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $16,702. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo, which ranked #3. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arecibo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Typical student debt for general graduates is $10,500. Early-career general graduates make about $13,072. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo admits about 38% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Fajardo, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Fajardo admits about 26% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Clayton State University, which ranked #5. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $30,200 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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Washburn University earned the #6 position for value in general this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, 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.
Purdue University Global ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $40,244 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $45,984. Set against $40,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Worcester State University placed #8 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. General graduates carry a median of $24,953 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. Set against $24,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Charter Oak State College earned the #9 position for value in general this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,506. General graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Charter Oak State College generally make around $68,956. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arizona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. General graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Middle Georgia State University came in at #11 for value in general this year. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, while out-of-state students pay about $16,390. Typical student debt for general graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $35,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
American Intercontinental University Online landed the #12 spot for general value this year. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,397. General graduates carry a median of $47,500 in student loans. General graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $35,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $47,500 median debt.
Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,896. Typical student debt for general graduates is $35,511. General graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies earn a median of $36,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American Intercontinental University Atlanta placed #14 among the best values for general. Located in the city of Atlanta, American Intercontinental University Atlanta is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,527. General graduates carry a median of $47,500 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $35,862. Set against $47,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Olivet College landed the #15 spot for general value this year. Set in the rural area of Olivet, Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,068. Typical student debt for general graduates is $27,000. Early-career general graduates make about $48,328. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Tennessee ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. Students from in state pay about $18,712 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $31,250. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $54,207. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Indiana Institute Of Technology came in at #17 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,361. General graduates carry a median of $35,511 in student loans. General graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology earn a median of $36,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Rockhurst University placed #18 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,966. Students borrow a median of $24,111 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Rockhurst University generally make around $70,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.
Eureka College placed #19 among the best values for general. Set in the town of Eureka, Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,636. General graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $37,886. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Brewton Parker College came in at #20 for value in general this year. Located in the rural area of Mount Vernon, Brewton Parker College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,120 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,009. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas Wesleyan University came in at #21 for value in general this year. Kansas Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Salina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,630. General graduates carry a median of $24,330 in student loans. General graduates of Kansas Wesleyan University earn a median of $37,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,330 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bellarmine University came in at #22 for value in general this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,770 in tuition and fees. General graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. General graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $30,930 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,990 median debt. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Students borrow a median of $27,531 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $31,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Haven ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Typical student debt for general graduates is $27,000. Early-career general graduates make about $36,455. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago placed #25 among the best values for general. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for general graduates is $25,000. Early-career general graduates make about $38,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Explore the best-value general schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.