General Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 903 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general education schools.
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Choosing a Great General Education School
The general education program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best General Education Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best General Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Madison the best school in the country for a degree in general education. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 72 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
See the full general education program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #2. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 308 general education students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans.
Read more about the general education program at Texas A And M University College Station
Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 general education students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
Read more about the general education program at Vanderbilt University
The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 24 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $57,819 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
See the full general education program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 67 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $58,304. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans.
Get the full general education details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Johns Hopkins University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 293 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $63,838 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
More information about a degree in general education from Johns Hopkins University
Auburn University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Auburn University awarded about 41 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Auburn University earn around $55,422 in the first couple years of their career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans.
Read more about the general education program at Auburn University
Southern Methodist University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Methodist University awarded about 14 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $70,632 in their early career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general education from Southern Methodist University
University Of Connecticut placed #9 among the best general education schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 21 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $58,784 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans.
Read more about the general education program at University Of Connecticut
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 224 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $67,010 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general education program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Georgia earned the #11 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Georgia earn around $69,003 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792.
Get the full general education details for University Of Georgia
California State University Sacramento ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 151 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $77,526 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans.
See the full general education program report for California State University Sacramento
Stanford University earned the #13 position for general education this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 137 general education students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $85,162 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general education from Stanford University
New York University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 17 general education degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from New York University generally make around $60,354. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans.
Get the full general education details for New York University
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 160 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,997 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
See the full general education program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Texas Tech University came in at #16 for general education this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 278 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general education from Texas Tech University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #17 spot for general education this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 107 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238.
Read more about the general education program at University Of California Berkeley
California State University Fullerton placed #18 among the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 36 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $54,471 in their early career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans.
Get the full general education details for California State University Fullerton
California State University Long Beach ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 68 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete this degree.
See the full general education program report for California State University Long Beach
University Of Florida earned the #20 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 84 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $58,388 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
Read more about the general education program at University Of Florida
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #21 for general education this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 127 general education degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $56,784 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general education from The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of California San Diego landed the #22 spot for general education this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 125 general education degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. General Education graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $91,736 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans.
Get the full general education details for University Of California San Diego
University Of California Riverside ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 154 general education degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. General Education graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $61,108 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general education from University Of California Riverside
George Mason University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 general education students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $89,993. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general education from George Mason University
Washington University In St Louis placed #25 among the best general education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 33 general education students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
Get the full general education details for Washington University In St Louis
Rest of the Top 50 General Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general education this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 903 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
