by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general psychology, no school beat Saint Cloud State University this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $20,626. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $33,623. That is a strong return on a $20,626 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,674 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,674 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at University Of Minnesota Morris, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Students borrow a median of $22,341 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $36,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bemidji State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,000. General Psychology graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $33,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
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Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $33,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University came in at #7 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,673. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $35,411 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $38,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #10 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $34,925. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Capella University placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $40,816 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Capella University earn a median of $54,621 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $40,816 median debt.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $69,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
Metropolitan State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $30,155. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $40,958. That is a strong return on a $30,155 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Hamline University earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Students borrow a median of $24,512 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $37,872. That is a strong return on a $24,512 median debt. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
St Catherine University earned the #15 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Students borrow a median of $29,532 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $32,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
Augsburg College earned the #16 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,452. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,750. General Psychology graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $29,743 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Duluth, The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,778. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $31,367. Set against $26,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #18 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,749 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $37,758. Set against $24,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #19 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia College At Moorhead admits about 63% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,914 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $33,174 early in their careers. Set against $25,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Johns University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,816. Students borrow a median of $26,428 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saint Johns University generally make around $47,238. That is a strong return on a $26,428 median debt. Saint Johns University admits about 91% of applicants.
Crown College earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. Crown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. Students from in state pay about $31,410 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,388 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $42,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Saint Benedict ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,756 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. General Psychology graduates of College Of Saint Benedict earn a median of $41,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,060. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #25 position for value in general psychology this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. General Psychology graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $38,396 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.