2026 Best Value General Education Certificate Degree Schools

#1

University Of Wisconsin Stout

Menomonie, WI

For return on investment, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Stout this year in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public school based in Menomonie, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. University Of Wisconsin Stout General Education students take on a median of $25,821 in debt. University Of Wisconsin Stout alumni report median earnings of $58,084 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stout

#2

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay

Green Bay, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Green Bay, WI, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical General Education student debt is $23,250. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay alumni report median earnings of $52,528 a decade after entry. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Green Bay

#3

Purdue University Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical General Education student debt is $20,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,424. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 50%. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile

#4

University Of Nevada Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #4 on this year's best-value General Education ranking in the United States. Located in Las Vegas, NV, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete their General Education program here. University Of Nevada Las Vegas alumni report median earnings of $55,037 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants. See the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas profile

#5

University Of Wisconsin Madison

Madison, WI

Out of the 903 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. The median General Education program debt is $21,813. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,792. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report

#7

University Of Maine

Orono, ME

University Of Maine came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical General Education student debt is $25,984. Median earnings reach $48,653 ten years out. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Maine

#7

Albertus Magnus College

Albertus Magnus College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Albertus Magnus College

#8

Atlantis University

Atlantis University placed #8 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. More on Atlantis University

#9

Clark University

Clark University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. See the full Clark University profile

#10

Ouachita Baptist University

Ouachita Baptist University placed #10 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. See the full Ouachita Baptist University profile

#11

Rockford College

Rockford College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Rockford College report

#12

Suny At Albany

Suny At Albany came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Suny At Albany report

#13

Clarke University

Clarke University placed #13 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Read more about Clarke University

#14

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #14 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Read more about Florida Gulf Coast University

#15

Stevenson University

Stevenson University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. Read more about Stevenson University

#16

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #16 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

#17

Western New Mexico University

Western New Mexico University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Read more about Western New Mexico University

#18

Biola University

Biola University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. More on Biola University

#19

College Of Mount St Joseph

College Of Mount St Joseph placed #19 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Read more about College Of Mount St Joseph

#20

Edgewood College

Edgewood College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. More on Edgewood College

#21

Mesa State College

Mesa State College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. More on Mesa State College

#22

North Carolina A And T State University

North Carolina A And T State University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read more about North Carolina A And T State University

#23

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Hobart William Smith Colleges came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Hobart William Smith Colleges report

#24

Northwestern University

Northwestern University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Northwestern University profile

#25

Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. Get the full Saint Leo University report

#26

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Get the full Saint Marys University Of Minnesota report

#27

Springfield College

Springfield College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. Read the full report on Springfield College

#28

Suny At Purchase College

Suny At Purchase College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. Get the full Suny At Purchase College report

#29

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of New Hampshire Main Campus profile

#30

James Madison University

James Madison University placed #30 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Read more about James Madison University

#31

Niagara County Community College

Niagara County Community College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. Get the full Niagara County Community College report

#32

Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full Northern Illinois University report

#33

St Francis College

St Francis College came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Get the full St Francis College report

#34

Thomas College

Thomas College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. More on Thomas College

#35

Vanguard University Of Southern California

Vanguard University Of Southern California placed #35 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. More on Vanguard University Of Southern California

#36

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #36 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University

#37

Chestnut Hill College

Chestnut Hill College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Chestnut Hill College

#38

Elmira College

Elmira College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on Elmira College

#39

Lakeland College

Lakeland College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Lakeland College profile

#40

Tusculum College

Tusculum College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Tusculum College report

#41

William Penn University

William Penn University came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on William Penn University

#42

Clark Atlanta University

Clark Atlanta University placed #42 among the best-value General Education schools in the United States. Read the full report on Clark Atlanta University

#43

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

#44

Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read more about Hagerstown Community College

#45

Ottawa University Ottawa

Ottawa University Ottawa ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. Get the full Ottawa University Ottawa report

#46

Piedmont International University

Piedmont International University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. Read more about Piedmont International University

#47

Riverside City College

Riverside City College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Education schools. Read the full report on Riverside City College

#48

Skidmore College

Skidmore College came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Skidmore College profile

#49

Southwest Baptist University

Southwest Baptist University landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Southwest Baptist University report

#50

University Of Mary Washington

University Of Mary Washington landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Mary Washington profile