General Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 195 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general education students pursuing a degree.
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 school for general education. 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.
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Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at Auburn University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 41 general education degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. About 53 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $69,003 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for general education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 84 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Florida earn around $58,388 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans.
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George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 general education degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent 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.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 30 general education degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $59,622 in their early career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans.
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Mississippi State University landed the #7 spot for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Mississippi State. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 57 general education degrees were awarded at Mississippi State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Mississippi State University earn around $47,383 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete this degree.
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University Of Florida Online ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida Online in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Florida Online earn around $43,822 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida Online graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans.
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James Madison University earned the #9 position for general education this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 143 general education students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $55,195 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #10 among the best general education schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 109 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $72,080. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans.
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University Of Central Florida came in at #11 for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 81 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $61,179. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete this degree.
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Florida Atlantic University came in at #12 for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Boca Raton. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida Atlantic University awarded about 55 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $38,928 early in their careers. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $18,474 in student loans.
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University Of North Alabama earned the #13 position for general education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Florence. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 general education degrees were awarded at University Of North Alabama in the most recent year. General Education graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,291.
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Lynchburg College placed #14 among the best general education schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Lynchburg College awarded about 15 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers.
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Jacksonville State University landed the #15 spot for general education this year. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 19 general education degrees were awarded at Jacksonville State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $65,943 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,751 to complete this degree.
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Milligan College landed the #16 spot for general education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Milligan. Milligan College graduates 63% of students within six years. Milligan College awarded about 19 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $64,327 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete this degree.
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Clemson University earned the #17 position for general education this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Clemson University awarded about 109 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Clemson University earn around $50,364 in the first couple years of their career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans.
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University Of Arkansas landed the #18 spot for general education this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. About 22 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $31,068. Students borrow a median of $26,522 to complete this degree.
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Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #19 position for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 general education students who graduated with this degree at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $38,392 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,755.
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University Of Mary Washington earned the #20 position for general education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $53,665 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,825.
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Fairmont State University placed #21 among the best general education schools. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Fairmont State University graduates 44% of students within six years. About 41 general education degrees were awarded at Fairmont State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Fairmont State University earn around $40,931 in the first couple years of their career. Fairmont State University graduates carry a median of $22,760 in student loans.
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Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #22 for general education this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 85 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $46,768 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,348.
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Northern Virginia Community College came in at #23 for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. About 39 general education degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans.
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Motlow State Community College earned the #24 position for general education this year. Located in the rural area of Tullahoma, Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 29 general education degrees were awarded at Motlow State Community College in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Motlow State Community College earn a median of $43,750 early in their careers. Motlow State Community College graduates carry a median of $6,470 in student loans.
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Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 71 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $65,654 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general education ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 195 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).
