2026 Best General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

1

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general studies. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 136 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $41,398 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from George Mason University

2

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 29 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $50,614 early in their careers. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $28,590 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Miami

3

Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN

Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 58 general studies degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $48,808. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Tennessee Technological University

4

University Of The Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY

University Of The Cumberlands is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #4. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. University Of The Cumberlands graduates 50% of students within six years. University Of The Cumberlands awarded about 278 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $50,547 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at University Of The Cumberlands

5

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

A rank of #5 makes American Public University System one of the top schools for general studies. This very large private for-profit university is located in the town of Charles Town. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. American Public University System awarded about 1,515 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $55,029 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,195 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for American Public University System

6

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #6 for general studies this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 59 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $37,174 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,450. Get the full general studies details for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

7

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #7 spot for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Northern Virginia Community College awarded about 760 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $28,249 in their early career. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Northern Virginia Community College

8

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University placed #8 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 119 general studies degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $24,874 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for West Virginia University

9

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Hattiesburg. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 41 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Mississippi in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $37,800 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,438 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at University Of Southern Mississippi

10

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 186 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $50,322. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $29,723 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Middle Tennessee State University

11

Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, AL

Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #11 for general studies this year. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. There were roughly 230 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Alabama Community College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. Northeast Alabama Community College graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Northeast Alabama Community College

12

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #12 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 79 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $40,968. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for University Of Alabama At Birmingham

13

Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory, NC

Catawba Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Catawba Valley Community College awarded about 15 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $23,951 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,429 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for Catawba Valley Community College

14

Northwest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, AR

Northwest Arkansas Community College placed #14 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 207 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Arkansas Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $31,313 in their early career. Northwest Arkansas Community College graduates carry a median of $10,876 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Northwest Arkansas Community College

15

University Of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, LA

University Of Louisiana Monroe earned the #15 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 80 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisiana Monroe in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Louisiana Monroe earn around $35,951 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,844 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Louisiana Monroe

16

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, FL

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach earned the #16 position for general studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of West Palm Beach. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach awarded about 17 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach earn around $54,317 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,787. More information about a degree in general studies from Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach

17

University Of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR

University Of Central Arkansas earned the #17 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. University Of Central Arkansas graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Arkansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $43,187 in their early career. University Of Central Arkansas graduates carry a median of $22,920 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Central Arkansas

18

William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University placed #18 among the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. William Carey University graduates 60% of students within six years. William Carey University awarded about 26 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of William Carey University earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from William Carey University

19

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. University Of North Georgia awarded about 83 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $31,399 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,484. Get the full general studies details for University Of North Georgia

20

Freed Hardeman University
Henderson, TN

Freed Hardeman University placed #20 among the best general studies schools. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Freed Hardeman University earn around $54,530 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,479. Read more about the general studies program at Freed Hardeman University

21

Harding University
Searcy, AR

Harding University landed the #21 spot for general studies this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 24 general studies degrees were awarded at Harding University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $27,686 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,909. See the full general studies program report for Harding University

22

University Of Arkansas At Monticello
Monticello, AR

University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #22 spot for general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Monticello. University Of Arkansas At Monticello graduates 38% of students within six years. University Of Arkansas At Monticello awarded about 97 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $41,530. University Of Arkansas At Monticello graduates carry a median of $20,683 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Arkansas At Monticello

23

Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 64 general studies degrees were awarded at Mississippi State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Mississippi State University earn around $36,318 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,435 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for Mississippi State University

24

Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University earned the #24 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Nicholls State University awarded about 81 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Nicholls State University earn around $43,888 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Nicholls State University

25

Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL

Columbia Southern University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 101 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $55,667 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,923 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Columbia Southern University