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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Master’s Degree Schools

20 Colleges in the United States
4,118 General Degrees Awarded
$60,364 Avg Early-Career Salary

General degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 320 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in general, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in General

1

The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 174 general students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree. Get the full general details for The University Of Texas At Austin

2
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Students looking for a strong general program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 general students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from Duke University

3

Students looking for a strong general program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 120 general degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. More information about a degree in general from University Of Virginia Main Campus

4

San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 171 general degrees in the most recent data year. See the full general program report for San Jose State University

5

Students looking for a strong general program will find one at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 73 general students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $60,797 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete this degree. See the full general program report for University Of California San Diego

6
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University placed #6 among the best general schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 general degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. General graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from Rice University

7
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #7 position for general this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 167 general degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. General graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Read more about the general program at New York University

8

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #8 spot for general this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 203 general degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. General graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. See the full general program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

9

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #9 position for general this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 17 general degrees in the most recent data year. General graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More information about a degree in general from Carnegie Mellon University

10

New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for general this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. New Jersey Institute Of Technology awarded about 201 general degrees in the most recent data year. General graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. New Jersey Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. See the full general program report for New Jersey Institute Of Technology

11

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #11 position for general this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 28 general degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree. See the full general program report for Texas A And M University College Station

12

Colorado School Of Mines earned the #12 position for general this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Golden. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 20 general degrees in the most recent data year. General graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,521. Get the full general details for Colorado School Of Mines

13

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #13 spot for general this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 general students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. General graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. See the full general program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

14

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #14 spot for general this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 28 general degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $45,488 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete this degree. Get the full general details for University Of California Santa Barbara

15

Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #15 spot for general this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates 90% of students within six years. Worcester Polytechnic Institute awarded about 48 general degrees in the most recent data year. General graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $91,834 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,259. Get the full general details for Worcester Polytechnic Institute

16

University Of Delaware ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 26 general degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from University Of Delaware

17
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University earned the #17 position for general this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 10 general degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from Lehigh University earn around $70,321 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from Lehigh University

18

University Of The Pacific landed the #18 spot for general this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 general degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Graduates of the general program make about $77,022 in their early career. University Of The Pacific graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. Get the full general details for University Of The Pacific

19

Michigan Technological University earned the #19 position for general this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. About 68% of students finish within six years. Michigan Technological University awarded about 28 general degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Typical student debt for the program is $25,800. Get the full general details for Michigan Technological University

20
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #20 position for general this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. About 67% of students finish within six years. Lewis University awarded about 122 general degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $55,718 in their early career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. See the full general program report for Lewis University

21
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University earned the #21 position for general this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 general students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. General graduates of American University earn a median of $54,585 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from American University

22

Fordham University came in at #22 for general this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 30 general degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. General graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,643. See the full general program report for Fordham University

23

Bradley University landed the #23 spot for general this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 63 general degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. General graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Get the full general details for Bradley University

24
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University came in at #24 for general this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 general students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from Brown University earn around $62,820 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from Brown University

25
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #25 position for general this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 general students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $68,154 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from Tufts University

Rest of the Top 50 General Schools

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

26
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
36
37
38
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
47
48
Saint Peters College crest
Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ
49
50

Other General Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare General rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General
Associate's Degrees in General
Bachelor's Degrees in General
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View All General Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 320 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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