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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Studies Schools in Massachusetts

9 Colleges in the United States
502 General Studies Degrees Awarded
$32,710 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools to find the best for general studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Studies in Massachusetts

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

Top Schools in General Studies

1

Leading the list is Worcester State University, our #1 school for general studies. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Worcester. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 27 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Worcester State University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $43,996 early in their careers. Worcester State University graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Worcester State University

2

Middlesex Community College Bedford is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #2. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Middlesex Community College Bedford awarded about 66 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $31,451. Typical student debt for the program is $7,928. More information about a degree in general studies from Middlesex Community College Bedford

3

Massachusetts Bay Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 53 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Bay Community College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $37,790 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,750. Get the full general studies details for Massachusetts Bay Community College

4

Bristol Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #4. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. About 162 general studies degrees were awarded at Bristol Community College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $31,206 early in their careers. Bristol Community College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Bristol Community College

5

Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Haverhill. Northern Essex Community College awarded about 26 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $31,549. Northern Essex Community College graduates carry a median of $9,969 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for Northern Essex Community College

6

Quinsigamond Community College earned the #6 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 64 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Quinsigamond Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Quinsigamond Community College earn around $33,524 in the first couple years of their career. Quinsigamond Community College graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Quinsigamond Community College

7
Cape Cod Community College crest
Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA

Cape Cod Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. Cape Cod Community College awarded about 59 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Cape Cod Community College earn around $23,563 in the first couple years of their career. Cape Cod Community College graduates carry a median of $6,749 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Cape Cod Community College

8

Mount Wachusett Community College earned the #8 position for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 45 general studies degrees were awarded at Mount Wachusett Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $28,600 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for Mount Wachusett Community College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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