2026 Best Value General Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for general in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $58,595. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for general. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,273. Early-career general graduates make about $36,626. Set against $13,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in general will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #3. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. General graduates carry a median of $13,895 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $57,673. Set against $13,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

4

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in general will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $14,430. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $66,365. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for general graduates is $18,965. Early-career general graduates make about $59,179. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the general program here. General graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $64,423 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

7

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #7 for value in general this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,300. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $49,144. Set against $13,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for general graduates is $37,500. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $77,004. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #9 for value in general this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. General graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. General graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $62,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

10

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus placed #10 among the best values for general. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $14,813. Early-career general graduates make about $51,008. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield earned the #11 position for value in general this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #12 among the best values for general. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $52,155. That is a strong return on a $19,804 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

13

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #13 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. General graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. General graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

14

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $57,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

15

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University landed the #15 spot for general value this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for general graduates is $15,095. General graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

16

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay earned the #16 position for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $18,073. Early-career general graduates make about $84,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

17

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. General graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $49,466. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

18

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #18 among the best values for general. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $27,022. General graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #19 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $63,996. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

20

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College landed the #20 spot for general value this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. General graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $38,521 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

22

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #22 for value in general this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.

23

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University placed #23 among the best values for general. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. General graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. General graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #24 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $61,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System placed #25 among the best values for general. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,438. Early-career general graduates make about $70,882. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.