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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Studies Schools in New York

31 Colleges in the United States
3,493 General Studies Degrees Awarded
$27,550 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Studies in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general studies education in New York.

Top Schools in General Studies

1

No school ranked higher than Cornell University this year for general studies. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 18 general studies degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $46,072. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for Cornell University

2

State University Of New York At New Paltz is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of New Paltz. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. State University Of New York At New Paltz awarded about 32 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $41,000 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,530. Read more about the general studies program at State University Of New York At New Paltz

3

Suffolk County Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 950 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $26,874 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000. Get the full general studies details for Suffolk County Community College

4

Farmingdale State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 166 general studies degrees were awarded at Farmingdale State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $22,443. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Farmingdale State College

5

A rank of #5 makes Suny College At Cortland one of the top schools for general studies. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. Suny College At Cortland graduates 68% of students within six years. Suny College At Cortland awarded about 41 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $37,940 early in their careers. Suny College At Cortland graduates carry a median of $28,150 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for Suny College At Cortland

6

Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #6 position for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Plattsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 19 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Plattsburgh in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $30,318 early in their careers. Suny College At Plattsburgh graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Suny College At Plattsburgh

7

Suny College At Old Westbury placed #7 among the best general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 34 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Old Westbury in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $27,165. Students borrow a median of $24,833 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Suny College At Old Westbury

8

Hudson Valley Community College came in at #8 for general studies this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 188 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Hudson Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Hudson Valley Community College earn around $28,464 in the first couple years of their career. Hudson Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $10,046 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for Hudson Valley Community College

9
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College came in at #9 for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Suny Empire State College graduates 36% of students within six years. Suny Empire State College awarded about 82 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $58,140 in their early career. Suny Empire State College graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Suny Empire State College

10

Suny College At Buffalo ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 76 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Buffalo in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $32,082 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for Suny College At Buffalo

11

Monroe Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Monroe Community College awarded about 323 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $25,252 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Monroe Community College

12

Adirondack Community College placed #12 among the best general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Adirondack Community College awarded about 87 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Adirondack Community College earn a median of $31,590 early in their careers. Adirondack Community College graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Adirondack Community College

13
Dutchess Community College crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Dutchess Community College earned the #13 position for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Dutchess Community College awarded about 135 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $22,095 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Dutchess Community College

14

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred placed #14 among the best general studies schools. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 general studies degrees were awarded at Suny College Of Technology At Alfred in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $27,450 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,250. Read more about the general studies program at Suny College Of Technology At Alfred

15

Fulton Montgomery Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Fulton Montgomery Community College awarded about 82 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Fulton Montgomery Community College earn a median of $21,482 early in their careers. Fulton Montgomery Community College graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Fulton Montgomery Community College

16

Niagara County Community College placed #16 among the best general studies schools. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. Niagara County Community College awarded about 23 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $22,942. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Niagara County Community College

17

Corning Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Corning, Corning Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 13 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Corning Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Corning Community College generally make around $26,679. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Corning Community College

18

Tompkins Cortland Community College earned the #18 position for general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Dryden, Tompkins Cortland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 129 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Tompkins Cortland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $24,591 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Tompkins Cortland Community College

19

Onondaga Community College earned the #19 position for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Onondaga Community College awarded about 81 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $22,966 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Onondaga Community College

20

Sullivan County Community College placed #20 among the best general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 24 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Sullivan County Community College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Sullivan County Community College earn a median of $27,874 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Sullivan County Community College

21

Ulster County Community College came in at #21 for general studies this year. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. There were roughly 97 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Ulster County Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Ulster County Community College earn around $24,015 in the first couple years of their career. Ulster County Community College graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for Ulster County Community College

22

Erie Community College came in at #22 for general studies this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Erie Community College awarded about 185 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $23,608 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,090. See the full general studies program report for Erie Community College

23

Genesee Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Batavia. There were roughly 111 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Genesee Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Genesee Community College earn around $22,079 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,064. Read more about the general studies program at Genesee Community College

24

Suny College Of Technology At Canton landed the #24 spot for general studies this year. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Canton. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 general studies degrees were awarded at Suny College Of Technology At Canton in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Suny College Of Technology At Canton earn around $17,143 in the first couple years of their career. Suny College Of Technology At Canton graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Suny College Of Technology At Canton

25

Mohawk Valley Community College placed #25 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Mohawk Valley Community College awarded about 111 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $23,618 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,100. Read more about the general studies program at Mohawk Valley Community College

Rest of the Top 32 General Studies Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general studies this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 53 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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