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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

11 Colleges in the United States
882 General Studies Degrees Awarded
$31,967 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 43 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 Pennsylvania

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Studies

1
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general studies. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 10 general studies degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $52,183 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Villanova University

2
Carlow University crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #2. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 12 general studies degrees were awarded at Carlow University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $66,938 in their early career. Carlow University graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Carlow University

3

Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Butler County Community College, which ranked #3. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Butler. Butler County Community College awarded about 23 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Butler County Community College earn around $28,138 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,932. Read more about the general studies program at Butler County Community College

4

Delaware County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Delaware County Community College awarded about 75 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Delaware County Community College earn around $29,277 in the first couple years of their career. Delaware County Community College graduates carry a median of $14,797 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Delaware County Community College

5

Bucks County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the rural area of Newtown. About 11 general studies degrees were awarded at Bucks County Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $24,235. Students borrow a median of $10,426 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Bucks County Community College

6

Community College Of Allegheny County placed #6 among the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. There were roughly 299 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Community College Of Allegheny County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Community College Of Allegheny County earn around $25,898 in the first couple years of their career. Community College Of Allegheny County graduates carry a median of $14,217 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Community College Of Allegheny County

7

Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #7 spot for general studies this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. About 131 general studies degrees were awarded at Lehigh Carbon Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $19,448 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Lehigh Carbon Community College

8

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #8 among the best general studies schools. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. About 149 general studies degrees were awarded at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $30,455 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,643 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg

9

Northampton County Area Community College came in at #9 for general studies this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. About 91 general studies degrees were awarded at Northampton County Area Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Northampton County Area Community College earn around $23,879 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,250. Get the full general studies details for Northampton County Area Community College

10

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earned the #10 position for general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Johnstown. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College awarded about 67 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn around $24,728 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,488 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

11

Community College Of Beaver County placed #11 among the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public university. Community College Of Beaver County awarded about 14 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Community College Of Beaver County earn around $26,455 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Community College Of Beaver County

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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 · 43 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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