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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

26 Colleges in the United States
2,906 General Education Degrees Awarded
$51,329 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 139 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Education in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general education education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in General Education

1

Our analysis ranked Johns Hopkins University the best school in the country for a degree in general education. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 293 general education students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University 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. Get the full general education details for Johns Hopkins University

2
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at New York University, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 17 general education degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $60,354 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. See the full general education program report for New York University

3
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 160 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $80,997 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. Read more about the general education program at University Of Pennsylvania

4
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lewisburg. Bucknell University graduates 86% of students within six years. Bucknell University awarded about 15 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $64,331 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,951 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Bucknell University

5
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #5. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 general education degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Colgate University earn around $52,924 in the first couple years of their career. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Colgate University

6
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #6 position for general education this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 27 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $54,785 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Syracuse University

7

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary placed #7 among the best general education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary awarded about 19 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $48,472. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary

8

Montclair State University placed #8 among the best general education schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 163 general education students who graduated with this degree at Montclair State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $61,225. Typical student debt for the program is $25,286. See the full general education program report for Montclair State University

9
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University landed the #9 spot for general education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Garden City. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Adelphi University awarded about 72 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $26,228. Adelphi University graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Adelphi University

10

Pennsylvania Western University landed the #10 spot for general education this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Pennsylvania Western University graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 103 general education students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent data year. Get the full general education details for Pennsylvania Western University

11
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University placed #11 among the best general education schools. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 72 general education degrees were awarded at La Salle University in the most recent year. General Education graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $63,073 early in their careers. La Salle University graduates carry a median of $25,462 in student loans. See the full general education program report for La Salle University

12

College Of Mount Saint Vincent ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Bronx, College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 57 general education students who graduated with this degree at College Of Mount Saint Vincent in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $58,239 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,385 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for College Of Mount Saint Vincent

13

Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #13 position for general education this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 12 general education degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in general education from Pennsylvania State University World Campus

14

York College Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for general education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of York. York College Pennsylvania graduates 64% of students within six years. York College Pennsylvania awarded about 63 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from York College Pennsylvania earn around $63,072 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,537. Get the full general education details for York College Pennsylvania

15

University Of Rochester came in at #15 for general education this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. About 15 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. General Education graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for University Of Rochester

16
Monmouth University crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ

Monmouth University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. About 72% of students finish within six years. Monmouth University awarded about 40 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $59,382. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Monmouth University

17

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best general education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Millersville. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 32 general education students who graduated with this degree at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,049. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Millersville University Of Pennsylvania

18

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland came in at #18 for general education this year. College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 119 general education degrees were awarded at College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn around $63,279 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full general education details for College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland

19
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University landed the #19 spot for general education this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 general education degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $62,647 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. See the full general education program report for Georgetown University

20
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University landed the #20 spot for general education this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 176 general education students who graduated with this degree at Niagara University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. Niagara University graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Niagara University

21
Goucher College crest
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD

Goucher College placed #21 among the best general education schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Goucher College is a small private not-for-profit university. Goucher College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 122 general education students who graduated with this degree at Goucher College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $63,622 in their early career. Goucher College graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Goucher College

22
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University placed #22 among the best general education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 37 general education students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $61,640 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for Rowan University

23
St Marys College Of Maryland crest
St Marys College Of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD

St Marys College Of Maryland earned the #23 position for general education this year. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. St Marys College Of Maryland graduates 70% of students within six years. St Marys College Of Maryland awarded about 14 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $41,665 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,655. Get the full general education details for St Marys College Of Maryland

24
Holy Family University crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University earned the #24 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 34 general education degrees were awarded at Holy Family University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $58,924. Holy Family University graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Holy Family University

25
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #25 for general education this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. About 70% of students finish within six years. Towson University awarded about 29 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $55,722. Towson University graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Towson University

Rest of the Top 50 General Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general education education:

26
27
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
28
29
30
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA
31
32
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
33
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD
34
35
36
Albright College crest
Albright College
Reading, PA
37
38
39
40
41
Saint Peters College crest
Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ
42
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE
43
44
Wilson College crest
Wilson College
Chambersburg, PA
45
46
47
48
Cedar Crest College crest
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA
49
50
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 139 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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