by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 75 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general psychology schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Sinclair Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $13,661 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,717. That is a strong return on a $13,661 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earned it the #2 place for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Students borrow a median of $17,999 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $38,019. Set against $17,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned it the #3 place for general psychology. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,999 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $38,019. Set against $17,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $16,000. General Psychology graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Miami University Hamilton one of the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,190. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt.
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Owens Community College came in at #6 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $23,441 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. Set against $23,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University earned the #7 position for value in general psychology this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $23,223. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $30,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Miami University Middletown placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Miami University Middletown is a small public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,094. General Psychology graduates of Miami University Middletown earn a median of $36,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State University came in at #10 for value in general psychology this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,000. General Psychology graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $42,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $27,700 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $32,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Shawnee State University placed #12 among the best values for general psychology. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $27,681 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marietta College placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $39,652 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $79,641. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marietta College admits about 79% of applicants.
Wittenberg University placed #14 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,940. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $40,093. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $28,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,682. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Central State University earned the #17 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,058, while out-of-state students pay about $10,058. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $31,485. General Psychology graduates of Central State University earn a median of $18,266 early in their careers. Set against $31,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Walsh University landed the #18 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,030. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Walsh University generally make around $27,577. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Hiram College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Hiram, Hiram College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,397. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,144. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Hiram College generally make around $48,572. That is a strong return on a $27,144 median debt. Hiram College admits about 94% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,295 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $51,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Muskingum University came in at #21 for value in general psychology this year. Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Concord. Students from in state pay about $31,701 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,625. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Muskingum University generally make around $37,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Wesleyan University placed #22 among the best values for general psychology. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Delaware. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,248. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Ohio Wesleyan University generally make around $30,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,193. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. General Psychology graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Heidelberg University landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the town of Tiffin, Heidelberg University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,600. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Heidelberg University generally make around $42,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ashland University earned the #25 position for value in general psychology this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $48,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.