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2026 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

115 Colleges in the United States
29,150 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$36,300 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts General Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts general studies programs.

College Factual analyzed 229 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in the The Plains States Region

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 liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Leading the list is University Of Iowa, our #1 school for liberal arts general studies. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 202 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $40,791 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,269 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for University Of Iowa

2
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

University Of Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Mary graduates 67% of students within six years. About 22 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of Mary earn around $65,565 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mary graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for University Of Mary

3

Students looking for a strong liberal arts general studies program will find one at University Of North Dakota, which ranked #3. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Forks. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 97 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $42,948 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,901. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for University Of North Dakota

4
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

A rank of #4 makes University Of Kansas one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 244 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $42,527. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for University Of Kansas

5

Students looking for a strong liberal arts general studies program will find one at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #5. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 112 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $39,992 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for University Of Missouri Kansas City

6
Mount Mercy University crest
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA

Mount Mercy University landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Mount Mercy University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $50,431 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Mount Mercy University

7

Pittsburg State University landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,370 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $36,597 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Pittsburg State University

8

Johnson County Community College earned the #8 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. About 1,272 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Johnson County Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $29,855. Students borrow a median of $9,700 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Johnson County Community College

9

Bismarck State College earned the #9 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Bismarck State College awarded about 256 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Bismarck State College earn around $33,358 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Bismarck State College

10
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University placed #10 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at St Catherine University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $60,427. Typical student debt for the program is $29,883. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at St Catherine University

11

Des Moines Area Community College placed #11 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 770 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $31,453 in their early career. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Des Moines Area Community College

12

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #12 for liberal arts general studies this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Northwest Missouri State University earn around $42,939 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Northwest Missouri State University

13

Bemidji State University landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 78 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Bemidji State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $48,984 in their early career. Bemidji State University graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Bemidji State University

14

Winona State University landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Winona State University awarded about 33 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $46,673 early in their careers. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $13,062 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Winona State University

15

Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #15 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern College Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $44,857. Students borrow a median of $23,505 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Northwestern College Minnesota

16

Hutchinson Community College earned the #16 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Hutchinson Community College awarded about 477 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $26,151 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Hutchinson Community College

17

College Of Saint Mary ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Omaha, College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 10 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at College Of Saint Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from College Of Saint Mary earn around $66,015 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Saint Mary graduates carry a median of $25,539 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from College Of Saint Mary

18

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #18 for liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 338 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $40,892. Students borrow a median of $26,310 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

19

Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Omaha. Metropolitan Community College Area awarded about 553 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $33,011 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,214. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Metropolitan Community College Area

20
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College came in at #20 for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. There were roughly 383 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Century College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Century College earn around $38,376 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,264 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Century College

21

Saint Cloud State University placed #21 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Saint Cloud State University awarded about 94 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Saint Cloud State University

22
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College earned the #22 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Central Community College awarded about 151 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $26,198. Typical student debt for the program is $8,313. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Central Community College

23

Valley City State University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Valley City State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 96 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Valley City State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $48,241 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,074 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Valley City State University

24

Saint Louis Community College placed #24 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Saint Louis Community College awarded about 1,181 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,841 early in their careers. Saint Louis Community College graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Saint Louis Community College

25

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #25 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 86 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $27,187 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
34
35
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Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN
36
37
38
39
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Grand View University
Des Moines, IA
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN
48
49
Hesston College crest
Hesston College
Hesston, KS
50

Additional Liberal Arts General Studies Award Winners

These schools also stood out for liberal arts general studies:

Rank School Location
#53 Central Lakes College Brainerd Brainerd, MN
#56 Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights, MN
#65 Metropolitan Community College Kansas City Kansas City, MO
#66 Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA
#67 Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge, IA
#87 Columbia College Missouri Columbia, MO

Honorable Mentions

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

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View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 229 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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