General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 1069 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general studies schools.
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Our analysis ranked George Washington University the best school in the country for a degree in general studies. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. George Washington University awarded about 10 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree.
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Harper College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. Harper College awarded about 139 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Harper College earn a median of $27,619 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Delaware is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #3. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 178 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Delaware earn around $13,833 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500.
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College Of Dupage is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. College Of Dupage awarded about 103 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $28,678 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
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Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Salt Lake Community College, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. About 804 general studies degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $35,804 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete this degree.
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Joliet Junior College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. There were roughly 112 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans.
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University Of Colorado Denver placed #7 among the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Denver. About 46% of students finish within six years. University Of Colorado Denver awarded about 87 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,022 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,582.
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Suffolk County Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. About 950 general studies degrees were awarded at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $26,874 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000.
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Farmingdale State College earned the #9 position for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 166 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Farmingdale State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $22,443 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #10 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. There were roughly 101 general studies students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $31,322 in their early career. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College graduates carry a median of $6,550 in student loans.
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Aims Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. Aims Community College awarded about 20 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $29,845. Typical student debt for the program is $9,152.
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Golden West College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. About 558 general studies degrees were awarded at Golden West College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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Collin County Community College District ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of McKinney. Collin County Community College District awarded about 1,075 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $32,114 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,250.
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Colorado Mountain College came in at #14 for general studies this year. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. About 14% of students finish within six years. Colorado Mountain College awarded about 35 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $32,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,541 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #15 for general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 38 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $30,144 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,700.
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American Public University System earned the #16 position for general studies this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the town of Charles Town. About 47% of students finish within six years. American Public University System awarded about 1,444 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $52,108. Typical student debt for the program is $6,125.
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Kankakee Community College placed #17 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Kankakee Community College awarded about 35 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $60,509 in their early career. Kankakee Community College graduates carry a median of $5,900 in student loans.
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Northern Virginia Community College landed the #18 spot for general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. There were roughly 760 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,144 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
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Des Moines Area Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. About 97 general studies degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $31,453. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
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Lawrence Technological University came in at #20 for general studies this year. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Lawrence Technological University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $74,924. Lawrence Technological University graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans.
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Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #21 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 205 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn around $34,540 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Ashland University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Ashland. Ashland University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Ashland University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $48,852 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $3,008 to complete this degree.
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Weber State University earned the #23 position for general studies this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Weber State University awarded about 1,484 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $34,165. Typical student debt for the program is $13,054.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #24 for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 93 general studies students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn around $29,168 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,100.
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University Of New Haven came in at #25 for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of New Haven awarded about 11 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $49,615. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 1069 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).