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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general psychology schools in Mississippi. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
East Mississippi Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $9,422. General Psychology graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.
Itawamba Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Holmes Community College earned it the #4 place for general psychology. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,600 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,336. That is a strong return on a $24,600 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
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Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Senatobia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,740. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $9,990. General Psychology graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi University For Women ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,492. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $24,426 early in their careers. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Delta State University landed the #9 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $19,625. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $18,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #10 spot for general psychology value this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,685 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $57,059 early in their careers. Set against $22,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #11 spot for general psychology value this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,480. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $27,416. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Alcorn State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,785. Students borrow a median of $27,563 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $23,388. That is a strong return on a $27,563 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Tougaloo College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Tougaloo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tougaloo. Students from in state pay about $12,407 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $42,875 to complete the general psychology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,724 ten years after entry. Set against $42,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
William Carey University came in at #14 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $32,693 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $21,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.
Blue Mountain College came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Blue Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Blue Mountain. Students from in state pay about $20,180 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Blue Mountain College earn a median of $26,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Blue Mountain College admits about 89% of applicants.
Jackson State University came in at #16 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,965, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Jackson State University generally make around $24,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College earned the #17 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,000. General Psychology graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $23,683 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.