2026 Best General Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

No school ranked higher than University Of Mary this year for general studies. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Bismarck. University Of Mary graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $65,565 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,983 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Mary

2

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at University Of North Dakota, which ranked #2. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. About 60% of students finish within six years. University Of North Dakota awarded about 97 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $42,948. Typical student debt for the program is $24,901. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of North Dakota

3

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #3. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 141 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $42,527 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Kansas

4

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #4. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 97 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Des Moines Area Community College earn around $31,453 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Des Moines Area Community College

5

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Northwest Missouri State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 46 general studies degrees were awarded at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $42,939 in their early career. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for Northwest Missouri State University

6

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #6 position for general studies this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 338 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $40,892 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,310. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Nebraska At Omaha

7

Valley City State University
Valley City, ND

Valley City State University placed #7 among the best general studies schools. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 88 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Valley City State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $48,241 in their early career. Valley City State University graduates carry a median of $25,074 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Valley City State University

8

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #8 for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kearney. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn around $29,471 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,675. Get the full general studies details for University Of Nebraska At Kearney

9

Minot State University
Minot, ND

Minot State University came in at #9 for general studies this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Minot State University awarded about 21 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $44,614 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,147. Read more about the general studies program at Minot State University

10

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota landed the #10 spot for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the town of Vermillion. About 60% of students finish within six years. University Of South Dakota awarded about 60 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of South Dakota earn around $35,907 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,092 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at University Of South Dakota

11

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. South Dakota State University awarded about 97 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $32,134 in their early career. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $20,866 in student loans. See the full general studies program report for South Dakota State University

12

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 117 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $35,464 in their early career. Southeast Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for Southeast Missouri State University

13

Avila University
Kansas City, MO

Avila University landed the #13 spot for general studies this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Avila University graduates 52% of students within six years. About 11 general studies degrees were awarded at Avila University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Avila University generally make around $51,234. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for Avila University

14

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University earned the #14 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Wichita State University graduates 51% of students within six years. About 81 general studies degrees were awarded at Wichita State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $30,331 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,694. Get the full general studies details for Wichita State University

15

Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, IA

Iowa Western Community College earned the #15 position for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 43 general studies degrees were awarded at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $28,291 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,193 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Iowa Western Community College

16

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

Iowa Central Community College came in at #16 for general studies this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 10 general studies degrees were awarded at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $23,747 in their early career. Iowa Central Community College graduates carry a median of $11,330 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Iowa Central Community College

17

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Southeast Community College Area landed the #17 spot for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. About 82 general studies degrees were awarded at Southeast Community College Area in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $31,041 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Southeast Community College Area

18

Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Crowder College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Neosho. Crowder College awarded about 291 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Crowder College earn around $26,643 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,752. Read more about the general studies program at Crowder College

19

Northern State University
Aberdeen, SD

Northern State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. About 55% of students finish within six years. Northern State University awarded about 18 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Northern State University earn around $45,824 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,143. More information about a degree in general studies from Northern State University

20

Columbia College Missouri
Columbia, MO

Columbia College Missouri placed #20 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Columbia College Missouri graduates 43% of students within six years. About 411 general studies degrees were awarded at Columbia College Missouri in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $46,366 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,309. Read more about the general studies program at Columbia College Missouri

21

Dakota State University
Madison, SD

Dakota State University landed the #21 spot for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Madison. Dakota State University graduates 49% of students within six years. Dakota State University awarded about 26 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Dakota State University earn around $41,119 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $37,250. More information about a degree in general studies from Dakota State University

22

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
Calmar, IA

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #22 among the best general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. About 14 general studies degrees were awarded at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn around $29,491 in the first couple years of their career. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar graduates carry a median of $11,821 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar

23

Garden City Community College
Garden City, KS

Garden City Community College came in at #23 for general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Garden City. About 11 general studies degrees were awarded at Garden City Community College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $26,110 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,400. More information about a degree in general studies from Garden City Community College

24

Friends University
Wichita, KS

Friends University placed #24 among the best general studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wichita. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Friends University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Friends University earn a median of $41,734 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,500. Read more about the general studies program at Friends University

25

Barton County Community College
Great Bend, KS

Barton County Community College earned the #25 position for general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. About 61 general studies degrees were awarded at Barton County Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $25,863 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. More information about a degree in general studies from Barton County Community College