General Studies 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 181 schools to find the best for general studies students.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2026 ranking of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $38,065 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $20,728 in student loans.
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Harper College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #2. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Harper College awarded about 139 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $27,619 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500.
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A rank of #3 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for general studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 22 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Chicago earn around $26,094 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
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A rank of #4 makes College Of Dupage one of the top schools for general studies. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. About 103 general studies degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from College Of Dupage earn around $28,678 in the first couple years of their 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 Aurora University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $44,614. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Joliet Junior College came in at #6 for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 112 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $27,296 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250.
See the full general studies program report for Joliet Junior College
Lawrence Technological University landed the #7 spot for general studies this year. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete this degree.
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Ashland University landed the #8 spot for general studies this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 50 general studies degrees were awarded at Ashland University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Ashland University earn around $48,852 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $3,008 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Ashland University
Kankakee Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Kankakee Community College awarded about 35 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Kankakee Community College earn around $60,509 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,900.
Read more about the general studies program at Kankakee Community College
Waubonsee Community College landed the #10 spot for general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Waubonsee Community College awarded about 55 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $27,597. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Waubonsee Community College
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Springfield. Lincoln Land Community College awarded about 30 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Lincoln Land Community College earn around $34,164 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,022 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #12 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 38 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $37,845 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,011 to complete this degree.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #13 position for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College awarded about 101 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College graduates carry a median of $9,348 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Oakton Community College came in at #14 for general studies this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Oakton Community College awarded about 14 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $24,918 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
More information about a degree in general studies from Oakton Community College
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $42,976 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree.
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Macomb Community College placed #16 among the best general studies schools. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Macomb Community College awarded about 716 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $29,791 early in their careers. Macomb Community College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans.
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Depaul University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 26 general studies degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Depaul University earn around $73,200 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $42,350.
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Illinois Central College landed the #18 spot for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. Illinois Central College awarded about 90 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $29,845 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,656.
More information about a degree in general studies from Illinois Central College
University Of Toledo placed #19 among the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. University Of Toledo awarded about 81 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $39,961.
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Triton College came in at #20 for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. About 65 general studies degrees were awarded at Triton College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $27,342 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,500.
More information about a degree in general studies from Triton College
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earned the #21 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 93 general studies degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $29,168 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,925 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #22 for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College awarded about 182 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $34,644. Students borrow a median of $13,600 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Mchenry County College came in at #23 for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. There were roughly 21 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Mchenry County College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $19,740 early in their careers. Mchenry County College graduates carry a median of $6,581 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for Mchenry County College
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #24 for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Moraine Valley Community College awarded about 320 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $23,372 in their early career. Moraine Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans.
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Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #25 spot for general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 145 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $43,637 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,844 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general studies education:
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 · 181 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).
