ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina

61 Colleges in the United States
17,852 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$32,365 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts General Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts general studies programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts general studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 4
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 24.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AA in Liberal Arts" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "AA in Liberal Arts" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in General Studies" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in General Studies" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts general studies education in North Carolina.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

No school ranked higher than Wake Forest University this year for liberal arts general studies. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 89% of students finish within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 11 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Wake Forest University

2
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Students looking for a strong liberal arts general studies program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 24 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of $51,346 early in their careers. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Duke University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 15 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $37,709 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4

North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #4. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 63 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $45,181 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,993. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

5

Randolph Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts general studies, ranking #5. Located in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public university. Randolph Community College awarded about 172 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $40,145. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Randolph Community College

6

Wake Technical Community College placed #6 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Raleigh. About 1,458 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $30,373. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Wake Technical Community College

7

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. About 1,822 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $24,056 in their early career. Central Piedmont Community College graduates carry a median of $7,104 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Central Piedmont Community College

8

East Carolina University landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. East Carolina University awarded about 233 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $36,809 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at East Carolina University

9

Catawba Valley Community College earned the #9 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Catawba Valley Community College awarded about 458 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Catawba Valley Community College earn around $23,951 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,429 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Catawba Valley Community College

10

Cape Fear Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. About 832 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Cape Fear Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Cape Fear Community College earn around $30,056 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,734. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Cape Fear Community College

11
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College earned the #11 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Gaston College awarded about 475 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $26,838 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,334 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Gaston College

12

Alamance Community College earned the #12 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. Alamance Community College awarded about 380 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $26,855. Alamance Community College graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Alamance Community College

13
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC

Pitt Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. Pitt Community College awarded about 447 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pitt Community College generally make around $43,022. Typical student debt for the program is $14,550. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Pitt Community College

14

Wayne Community College came in at #14 for liberal arts general studies this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Wayne Community College awarded about 211 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $26,028. Wayne Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Wayne Community College

15

Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #15 for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 443 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $27,726 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,719. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Rowan Cabarrus Community College

16

Western Piedmont Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Morganton. Western Piedmont Community College awarded about 155 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Western Piedmont Community College earn a median of $29,365 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,999. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Western Piedmont Community College

17

Stanly Community College earned the #17 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Stanly Community College awarded about 157 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $28,120 early in their careers. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Stanly Community College

18

Wilkes Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Wilkesboro. About 161 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Wilkes Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Wilkes Community College earn around $25,681 in the first couple years of their career. Wilkes Community College graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Wilkes Community College

19

Durham Technical Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Durham Technical Community College awarded about 268 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $23,876 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,321 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Durham Technical Community College

20

Johnston Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 365 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Johnston Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $25,872 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,812. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Johnston Community College

21

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Fayetteville Technical Community College awarded about 700 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $36,276 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,037. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Fayetteville Technical Community College

22

Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #22 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Sylva. Southwestern Community College Sylva awarded about 119 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $25,973 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Southwestern Community College Sylva

23

Rockingham Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 151 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Rockingham Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $30,865 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Rockingham Community College

24

Vance Granville Community College placed #24 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Vance Granville Community College awarded about 281 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Vance Granville Community College earn around $34,109 in the first couple years of their career. Vance Granville Community College graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Vance Granville Community College

25

Surry Community College placed #25 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Dobson. Surry Community College awarded about 229 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $24,635 in their early career. Surry Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Surry Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

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

26
27
28
29
Carteret Community College crest
Carteret Community College
Morehead City, NC
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

A few more liberal arts general studies schools worth a look:

ADBLOCK #173
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 95 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options