2026 Best Value General Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value general schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,273. Early-career general graduates make about $36,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for general. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for general graduates is $13,250. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $37,792. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $13,895 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $48,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

4

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. 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, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $45,471. Set against $18,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for general graduates is $37,500. General graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $76,049 early in their careers. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

6

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $46,047. Set against $19,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

7

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College came in at #7 for value in general this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.

8

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University earned the #8 position for value in general this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $27,022 in student loans. General graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $46,281 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

9

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $22,453. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $38,681. That is a strong return on a $22,453 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

10

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #10 for value in general this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. General graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. General graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

11

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College earned the #11 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $31,809 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $42,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #12 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $43,110 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

13

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $56,445 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Hawaii West Oahu
Kapolei, HI

University Of Hawaii West Oahu earned the #14 position for value in general this year. University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kapolei. Students from in state pay about $7,584 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,000. Early-career general graduates make about $42,481. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Hawaii West Oahu admits about 95% of applicants.

15

University Of Guam
Mangilao, GU

University Of Guam earned the #15 position for value in general this year. Located in the suburb of Mangilao, University Of Guam is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,414. Typical student debt for general graduates is $15,650. Early-career general graduates make about $26,880. Set against $15,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. General graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $38,358 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

17

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $19,187. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

18

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University landed the #18 spot for general value this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. General graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General graduates of Kean University earn a median of $45,850 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

19

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #19 for value in general this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $20,731 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $47,013. Set against $20,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

20

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College landed the #20 spot for general value this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,202 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $74,053 early in their careers. Set against $29,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #21 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Typical student debt for general graduates is $45,656. General graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $61,790 early in their careers. Set against $45,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #22 spot for general value this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for general graduates is $27,187. Early-career general graduates make about $44,951. Set against $27,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

23

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #23 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $41,020. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

24

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona earned the #24 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for general graduates is $21,000. Early-career general graduates make about $39,136. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

25

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #25 for value in general this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. General graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. General graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $46,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.