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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

21 Colleges in the United States
4,663 General Studies Degrees Awarded
$38,709 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Studies 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 75 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Studies in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general studies education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in General Studies

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Nevada Reno the best school in the country for a degree in general studies. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 62 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $43,520 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,790 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for University Of Nevada Reno

2
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Golden West College awarded about 558 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $82,984 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in general studies from Golden West College

3
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

A rank of #3 makes Palomar College one of the top schools for general studies. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. About 426 general studies degrees were awarded at Palomar College in the most recent year. Get the full general studies details for Palomar College

4

College Of Southern Nevada is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Las Vegas. About 429 general studies degrees were awarded at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $25,433 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,368 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for College Of Southern Nevada

5

Hawaii Pacific University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Honolulu. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hawaii Pacific University awarded about 117 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Hawaii Pacific University earn around $49,182 in the first couple years of their career. Hawaii Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,385 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Hawaii Pacific University

6

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System awarded about 134 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn around $36,875 in the first couple years of their career. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System graduates carry a median of $22,552 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

7
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University placed #7 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 127 general studies degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $49,487 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,717. Get the full general studies details for National University

8
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College earned the #8 position for general studies this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. About 76 general studies degrees were awarded at Hartnell College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $21,176. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Hartnell College

9

Truckee Meadows Community College placed #9 among the best general studies schools. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. There were roughly 66 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Truckee Meadows Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Truckee Meadows Community College earn around $37,415 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for Truckee Meadows Community College

10

City University Of Seattle landed the #10 spot for general studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. City University Of Seattle awarded about 18 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $76,698 in their early career. City University Of Seattle graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for City University Of Seattle

11

Portland Community College came in at #11 for general studies this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. About 911 general studies degrees were awarded at Portland Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Portland Community College earn around $30,852 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,334 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Portland Community College

12

Chaminade University Of Honolulu came in at #12 for general studies this year. Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. Chaminade University Of Honolulu graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Chaminade University Of Honolulu in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Chaminade University Of Honolulu generally make around $48,383. Typical student debt for the program is $25,096. More information about a degree in general studies from Chaminade University Of Honolulu

13

University Of La Verne ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 13 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $25,945 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Read more about the general studies program at University Of La Verne

14
Western Nevada College crest
Western Nevada College
Carson City, NV

Western Nevada College landed the #14 spot for general studies this year. Located in the city of Carson City, Western Nevada College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 61 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Western Nevada College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Western Nevada College generally make around $32,453. Western Nevada College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Western Nevada College

15

Edmonds Community College landed the #15 spot for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public institution. About 11 general studies degrees were awarded at Edmonds Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $21,520 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full general studies details for Edmonds Community College

16

Chemeketa Community College came in at #16 for general studies this year. Chemeketa Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Salem. There were roughly 208 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Chemeketa Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $29,163 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,834. Get the full general studies details for Chemeketa Community College

17

The Masters College And Seminary placed #17 among the best general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The Masters College And Seminary graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 general studies students who graduated with this degree at The Masters College And Seminary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from The Masters College And Seminary earn around $18,621 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for The Masters College And Seminary

18

Mt Hood Community College placed #18 among the best general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public institution. Mt Hood Community College awarded about 197 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Mt Hood Community College earn a median of $24,658 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,083. Get the full general studies details for Mt Hood Community College

19

Brigham Young University Hawaii landed the #19 spot for general studies this year. Set in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. Brigham Young University Hawaii awarded about 23 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Brigham Young University Hawaii earn around $41,461 in the first couple years of their career. See the full general studies program report for Brigham Young University Hawaii

20

Lane Community College placed #20 among the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public university. Lane Community College awarded about 652 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Lane Community College earn a median of $60,759 early in their careers. Lane Community College graduates carry a median of $8,262 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Lane Community College

21

Blue Mountain Community College came in at #21 for general studies this year. Located in the town of Pendleton, Blue Mountain Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 31 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Blue Mountain Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Blue Mountain Community College generally make around $25,872. Blue Mountain Community College graduates carry a median of $16,009 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Blue Mountain Community College

22
Rogue Community College crest
Rogue Community College
Grants Pass, OR

Rogue Community College landed the #22 spot for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Rogue Community College awarded about 131 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Rogue Community College earn around $26,778 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,641. Read more about the general studies program at Rogue Community College

23
Cosumnes River College crest
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA

Cosumnes River College placed #23 among the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. There were roughly 19 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Cosumnes River College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Cosumnes River College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Cosumnes River College

24

Great Basin College landed the #24 spot for general studies this year. Located in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public university. Great Basin College graduates 14% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Great Basin College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Great Basin College earn a median of $67,461 early in their careers. Great Basin College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Great Basin College

25

Columbia Gorge Community College came in at #25 for general studies this year. This small public university is located in the town of The Dalles. There were roughly 43 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Gorge Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $78,167 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,416. Get the full general studies details for Columbia Gorge Community College

Rest of the Top 31 General Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies ranking:

26
Life Pacific College crest
Life Pacific College
San Dimas, CA
27
28
29
30
Klamath Community College crest
Klamath Community College
Klamath Falls, OR
31

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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 · 75 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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