2026 Best Value General Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value general schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $79,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. General graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans. General graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $36,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% 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. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $13,895 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $66,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

4

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for general. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $66,365. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $72,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. General graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $64,423. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

7

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $13,300 in student loans. General graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $61,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #8 for value in general this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $37,500 to complete the general program here. General graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $77,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno earned the #9 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general program here. Early-career general graduates make about $62,889. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

10

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus placed #10 among the best values for general. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $51,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

11

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield landed the #11 spot for general value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for general. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for general graduates is $17,492. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $71,708. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

13

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #13 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $57,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

14

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University earned the #14 position for value in general this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

15

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay came in at #15 for value in general this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general program here. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $84,881. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

16

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general graduates is $20,125. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $56,061. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

17

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #17 spot for general value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. General graduates carry a median of $27,022 in student loans. General graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $59,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

18

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University landed the #18 spot for general value this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. Early-career general graduates make about $58,263. That is a strong return on a $19,804 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #19 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the general program here. General graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $63,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

20

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #20 spot for general value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the general program here. General graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #21 position for value in general this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

22

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University landed the #22 spot for general value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general program here. General graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #23 for value in general this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

24

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System came in at #24 for value in general this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for general graduates is $23,438. Early-career general graduates make about $70,882. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.

25

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #25 position for value in general this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. General graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. General graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $51,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.