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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Studies Schools in Virginia

7 Colleges in the United States
1,904 General Studies Degrees Awarded
$32,941 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 25 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 Virginia

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

Leading the list is George Mason University, our #1 school for general studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 136 general studies degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from George Mason University earn around $41,398 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for George Mason University

2

Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Northern Virginia Community College, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. Northern Virginia Community College awarded about 760 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $28,249 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Northern Virginia Community College

3

Tidewater Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 520 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Tidewater Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Tidewater Community College earn around $29,491 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,971 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Tidewater Community College

4

Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at John Tyler Community College, which ranked #4. This large public university is located in the suburb of Chester. There were roughly 97 general studies students who graduated with this degree at John Tyler Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $25,346 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for John Tyler Community College

5
Bluefield College crest
Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA

Bluefield College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #5. Set in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 18%. Bluefield College awarded about 26 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $49,380 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,780. Read more about the general studies program at Bluefield College

6
Ferrum College crest
Ferrum College
Ferrum, VA

Ferrum College earned the #6 position for general studies this year. Ferrum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ferrum. About 32% of students finish within six years. Ferrum College awarded about 13 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Ferrum College earn around $34,992 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,625 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Ferrum College

7

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #7 among the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Richmond. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College awarded about 71 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $27,924 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,125. See the full general studies program report for J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

8

Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #8 spot for general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 17 general studies degrees were awarded at Southwest Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $23,756. Southwest Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Southwest Virginia Community College

9

Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #9 spot for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 182 general studies degrees were awarded at Piedmont Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Piedmont Virginia Community College earn around $29,027 in the first couple years of their career. Piedmont Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $9,325 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Piedmont Virginia Community College

10

Virginia Western Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 70 general studies degrees were awarded at Virginia Western Community College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $22,382 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,988 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Virginia Western Community College

11
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University placed #11 among the best general studies schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Regent University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $50,406 in their early career. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for Regent University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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