General Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general studies programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 158 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general studies students pursuing a degree.
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The University Of Texas At Austin tops our 2026 ranking of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 23 general studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $69,994. Students borrow a median of $19,052 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Texas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. University Of North Texas awarded about 365 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $36,588. Students borrow a median of $22,254 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from University Of North Texas
A rank of #3 makes University Of St Thomas Texas one of the top schools for general studies. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $50,420 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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A rank of #4 makes West Texas A And M University one of the top schools for general studies. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. About 48% of students finish within six years. West Texas A And M University awarded about 175 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $40,793 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full general studies program report for West Texas A And M University
Collin County Community College District is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of McKinney. About 1,075 general studies degrees were awarded at Collin County Community College District in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $32,114 early in their careers. Collin County Community College District graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for Collin County Community College District
Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #6 spot for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of San Antonio. About 40% of students finish within six years. About 55 general studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University San Antonio in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $45,681 in their early career. Texas A And M University San Antonio graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from Texas A And M University San Antonio
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #7 spot for general studies this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 128 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $38,829 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,599.
See the full general studies program report for Texas State University San Marcos
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 237 general studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $40,185. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for The University Of Texas At Arlington
Texas Christian University placed #9 among the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Christian University awarded about 44 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $42,008 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for general studies this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. About 68% of students finish within six years. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 223 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn around $37,938 in the first couple years of their career. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at Oklahoma State University Main Campus
El Centro College earned the #11 position for general studies this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. About 5,426 general studies degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from El Centro College
Austin Community College District landed the #12 spot for general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. There were roughly 2,263 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $38,436 early in their careers. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at Austin Community College District
Tarrant County College District ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Worth. Tarrant County College District awarded about 4,283 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $30,179 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,944.
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Texas Womans University came in at #14 for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 213 general studies degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $41,803 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,625.
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Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chandler. About 16 general studies degrees were awarded at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Chandler Gilbert Community College earn around $33,709 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree.
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Texas Tech University earned the #16 position for general studies this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 209 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Texas Tech University earn around $40,600 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,713.
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Mesa Community College came in at #17 for general studies this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. About 54 general studies degrees were awarded at Mesa Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $46,084. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Mesa Community College
Alvin Community College landed the #18 spot for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Alvin. About 354 general studies degrees were awarded at Alvin Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $35,306. Students borrow a median of $8,081 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Alvin Community College
Northern Oklahoma College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Tonkawa. There were roughly 107 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Oklahoma College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Northern Oklahoma College earn around $40,565 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Northern Oklahoma College
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 30 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn around $27,548 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 79 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Estrella Mountain Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
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Odessa College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. About 424 general studies degrees were awarded at Odessa College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $28,193 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
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San Jacinto Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 1,318 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from San Jacinto Community College earn around $27,792 in the first couple years of their career. San Jacinto Community College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from San Jacinto Community College
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #24 position for general studies this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 173 general studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $34,397 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,419.
More information about a degree in general studies from The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Pima Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 93 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Pima Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $31,002. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Pima Community College
Rest of the Top 50 General Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general studies this year:
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 · 158 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
