General Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general education programs.
College Factual analyzed 195 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general education schools.
Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general education. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 15 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. 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. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 general education students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $55,422 in their early career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans.
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University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #3. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $69,003. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
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University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #4. 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 a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. 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 placed #6 among the best general education schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 30 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete this degree.
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Mississippi State University landed the #7 spot for general education this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 general education students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $47,383 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,969.
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University Of Florida Online came in at #8 for general education this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 46 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Florida Online in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,822. University Of Florida Online graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans.
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James Madison University landed the #9 spot for general education this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. James Madison University awarded about 143 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $55,195 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 109 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $72,080. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree.
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University Of Central Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. University Of Central Florida awarded about 81 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $61,179 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans.
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Florida Atlantic University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 55 general education degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Florida Atlantic University earn around $38,928 in the first couple years of their career. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $18,474 in student loans.
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University Of North Alabama ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Florence. University Of North Alabama graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Alabama in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. University Of North Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans.
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Lynchburg College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lynchburg College graduates 57% of students within six years. About 15 general education degrees were awarded at Lynchburg College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $107,159 in their early career.
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Jacksonville State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. 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. Students who receive their general education degree from Jacksonville State University earn around $65,943 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,751.
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Milligan College landed the #16 spot for general education this year. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. About 63% of students finish 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 ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Clemson University awarded about 109 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $50,364 in their early career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans.
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University Of Arkansas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of Arkansas awarded about 22 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $31,068 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,522 to complete this degree.
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Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 general education students who graduated with this degree at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Florida Gulf Coast University earn around $38,392 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,755 to complete this degree.
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University Of Mary Washington landed the #20 spot for general education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 27 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $53,665 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $22,825 in student loans.
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Fairmont State University earned the #21 position for general education this year. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fairmont State University awarded about 41 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $40,931 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,760 to complete this degree.
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Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #22 spot for general education this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 85 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $46,768 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,348.
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Northern Virginia Community College placed #23 among the best general education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. There were roughly 39 general education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Typical student debt for the program is $14,413.
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Motlow State Community College landed the #24 spot for general education this year. Motlow State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Tullahoma. About 29 general education degrees were awarded at Motlow State Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Motlow State Community College earn around $43,750 in the first couple years of their career. Motlow State Community College graduates carry a median of $6,470 in student loans.
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Virginia Commonwealth University placed #25 among the best general education schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 general education degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $65,654 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general education education:
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).
