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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Studies Schools in Arkansas

25 Colleges in the United States
4,068 General Studies Degrees Awarded
$32,138 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 37 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 Arkansas

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

Top Schools in General Studies

1

Northwest Arkansas Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general studies. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. Northwest Arkansas Community College awarded about 207 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $31,313 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,876 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Northwest Arkansas Community College

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Arkansas one of the top schools for general studies. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 70 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Arkansas in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $43,187 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,920 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at University Of Central Arkansas

3

Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Harding University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 24 general studies degrees were awarded at Harding University in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Harding University earn a median of $27,686 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,909. Read more about the general studies program at Harding University

4

Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at University Of Arkansas At Monticello, which ranked #4. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Monticello. University Of Arkansas At Monticello graduates 38% of students within six years. There were roughly 97 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas At Monticello in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $41,530 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,683. See the full general studies program report for University Of Arkansas At Monticello

5

East Arkansas Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This small public university is located in the town of Forrest City. There were roughly 33 general studies students who graduated with this degree at East Arkansas Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from East Arkansas Community College earn around $25,928 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,000. Get the full general studies details for East Arkansas Community College

6
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Arkansas Tech University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 1,390 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas Tech University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Arkansas Tech University earn around $36,292 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,100. Get the full general studies details for Arkansas Tech University

7

University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton placed #7 among the best general studies schools. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Morrilton. There were roughly 146 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn a median of $27,710 early in their careers. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton graduates carry a median of $8,950 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton

8

University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This small public university is located in the town of Batesville. There were roughly 10 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earn around $64,187 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville graduates carry a median of $6,027 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville

9

Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #9 position for general studies this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. About 347 general studies degrees were awarded at Arkansas State University Beebe in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Arkansas State University Beebe earn a median of $24,763 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,156. Read more about the general studies program at Arkansas State University Beebe

10

Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #10 for general studies this year. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas awarded about 80 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $29,547. Typical student debt for the program is $7,018. Read more about the general studies program at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas

11

Southern Arkansas University Tech placed #11 among the best general studies schools. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Camden. Southern Arkansas University Tech awarded about 17 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $34,302. Students borrow a median of $8,488 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Southern Arkansas University Tech

12
Pulaski Technical College crest
Pulaski Technical College
North Little Rock, AR

Pulaski Technical College came in at #12 for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of North Little Rock. Pulaski Technical College awarded about 24 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $30,396 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,875 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Pulaski Technical College

13

North Arkansas College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. North Arkansas College awarded about 94 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from North Arkansas College generally make around $27,317. Typical student debt for the program is $8,949. See the full general studies program report for North Arkansas College

14

Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Jonesboro. About 53% of students finish within six years. Arkansas State University Main Campus awarded about 242 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $33,881. Arkansas State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Arkansas State University Main Campus

15

University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public university. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock graduates 37% of students within six years. There were roughly 110 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas At Little Rock in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $33,780 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full general studies details for University Of Arkansas At Little Rock

16

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #16 for general studies this year. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates 44% of students within six years. About 221 general studies degrees were awarded at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $30,901. Typical student debt for the program is $28,228. Read more about the general studies program at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

17

Black River Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Pocahontas. Black River Technical College awarded about 176 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $33,747 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,428 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Black River Technical College

18

Arkansas Northeastern College landed the #18 spot for general studies this year. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. There were roughly 137 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas Northeastern College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Arkansas Northeastern College earn around $23,835 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,440 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Arkansas Northeastern College

19

Southeast Arkansas College earned the #19 position for general studies this year. This small public university is located in the town of Pine Bluff. About 67 general studies degrees were awarded at Southeast Arkansas College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Southeast Arkansas College earn a median of $24,880 early in their careers. Southeast Arkansas College graduates carry a median of $14,484 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Southeast Arkansas College

20

Rich Mountain Community College came in at #20 for general studies this year. Located in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public university. There were roughly 77 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Rich Mountain Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $17,381 in their early career. Read more about the general studies program at Rich Mountain Community College

21

Henderson State University landed the #21 spot for general studies this year. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public university. About 37% of students finish within six years. Henderson State University awarded about 28 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Henderson State University earn around $32,875 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Henderson State University

22

Arkansas State University Mountain Home landed the #22 spot for general studies this year. Set in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public institution. About 45 general studies degrees were awarded at Arkansas State University Mountain Home in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $28,907 in their early career. Arkansas State University Mountain Home graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Arkansas State University Mountain Home

23

University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #23 spot for general studies this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith awarded about 295 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $26,728. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith graduates carry a median of $20,664 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for University Of Arkansas Fort Smith

24

South Arkansas Community College landed the #24 spot for general studies this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. There were roughly 34 general studies students who graduated with this degree at South Arkansas Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $59,370 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at South Arkansas Community College

25

University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff placed #25 among the best general studies schools. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. About 40% of students finish within six years. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff awarded about 40 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $34,143 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full general studies details for University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff

Rest of the Top 28 General Studies Schools

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

26
27
Ecclesia College crest
Ecclesia College
Springdale, AR
28
Shorter College crest
Shorter College
N Little Rock, AR

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Notes and References

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 · 37 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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