2026 Best Value General Education Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Education associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 903 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value General Education Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Santa Fe Community College this year in the United States. Set in Santa Fe, NM, Santa Fe Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,851, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Typical General Education student debt is $15,267. Santa Fe Community College alumni report median earnings of $38,005 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Santa Fe Community College profile
A rank of #2 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values in the United States. Set in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. The median General Education program debt is $11,937. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,634 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt. More on Northeast Community College
You'll get strong value at Gloucester County College, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Sewell, NJ, Gloucester County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical General Education student debt is $10,987. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,751 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Gloucester County College
A rank of #4 makes Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Perkinston, MS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. The median General Education program debt is $11,653. Median earnings reach $33,017 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt. Get the full Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College report
Stark State College came in at #5 on this year's best-value General Education ranking in the United States. This public school is set in North Canton, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical General Education student debt is $15,957. Median earnings reach $34,661 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Stark State College
Southern Maine Community College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in South Portland, ME, Southern Maine Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical General Education student debt is $12,987. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,661 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Southern Maine Community College
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $10,874 to complete their General Education program here. Median earnings reach $37,186 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Ivy Tech Community College
Pima Community College placed #8 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Set in Tucson, AZ, Pima Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete their General Education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,810 ten years after entry. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Pima Community College
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Based in Schnecksville, PA, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. The median General Education program debt is $11,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,436 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. More on Lehigh Carbon Community College
El Paso Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. El Paso Community College is a public school based in El Paso, TX. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Median earnings reach $35,212 ten years out. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full El Paso Community College profile
Nhti Concords Community College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Concord, NH, Nhti Concords Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Graduates carry a median of $18,046 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,943. That is a strong return on a $18,046 median debt. Get the full Nhti Concords Community College report
Brookdale Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Lincroft, NJ, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete their General Education program here. Brookdale Community College alumni report median earnings of $44,379 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt. More on Brookdale Community College
Tulsa Community College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Set in Tulsa, OK, Tulsa Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Tulsa Community College General Education students take on a median of $15,789 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,746 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt. Read the full report on Tulsa Community College
Bunker Hill Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. Based in Boston, MA, Bunker Hill Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Bunker Hill Community College alumni report median earnings of $47,618 a decade after entry. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Bunker Hill Community College
Weber State University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Weber State University is a public school based in Ogden, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete their General Education program here. Weber State University alumni report median earnings of $56,287 a decade after entry. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Weber State University profile
The University Of Montana Western offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Dillon, MT, The University Of Montana Western is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,669, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,229. That is a strong return on a $22,484 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%. Get the full The University Of Montana Western report
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Springfield, MO, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,054. The median General Education program debt is $26,305. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,694. Set against $26,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies
Campbell University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Set in Buies Creek, NC, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,600 in tuition and fees. Typical General Education student debt is $18,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,886 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Campbell University
Liberty University placed #19 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Liberty University General Education students take on a median of $42,160 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted. More on Liberty University
Suny Empire State College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Suny Empire State College is a public school based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Students borrow a median of $21,422 to complete their General Education program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,080. Set against $21,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Suny Empire State College report
Montana State University Billings came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Located in Billings, MT, Montana State University Billings is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Montana State University Billings General Education students take on a median of $25,465 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,296 ten years after entry. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Montana State University Billings report
Cumberland University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lebanon, TN. Students from in state pay about $27,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete their General Education program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted. More on Cumberland University
Southeastern University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lakeland, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,950. Students borrow a median of $23,460 to complete their General Education program here. Median earnings reach $46,744 ten years out. Set against $23,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Southeastern University report
Southwest Baptist University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bolivar, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,566. Students borrow a median of $24,436 to complete their General Education program here. Southwest Baptist University alumni report median earnings of $43,112 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%. Read the full report on Southwest Baptist University
Arkansas Tech University landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Arkansas Tech University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Education Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Bethany College Kansas placed #26 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Bethany College Kansas
Lyon College
Lyon College placed #27 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. More on Lyon College
Miami University Oxford offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Miami University Oxford
Washington State University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. See the full Washington State University profile
Bob Jones University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. More on Bob Jones University
Clarendon College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. Read the full report on Clarendon College
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #32 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. See the full Colorado State University Pueblo profile
Dallas Christian College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Dallas Christian College report
Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Emory University
Emory University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Emory University report
Hampshire College placed #36 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Hampshire College
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Houston Downtown report
Andrew College
Andrew College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full Andrew College report
Barnard College
Barnard College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Barnard College
Pacific University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. More on Pacific University
Virginia Wesleyan College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Virginia Wesleyan College
Zane State College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Zane State College profile
California State University Northridge offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. More on California State University Northridge
College Of Micronesia Fsm came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read more about College Of Micronesia Fsm
Heritage University offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Heritage University report
Keene State College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Keene State College
Northeast State Community College landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Northeast State Community College
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #48 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Walsh University
Walsh University placed #49 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. More on Walsh University
Arcadia University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Arcadia University report
Related General Education Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value General Education Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value General Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 903 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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