2025 Best General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region
36
Colleges in the Plains States Region
3,705
General Studies Degrees Awarded
If you pursue a degree in
general studies, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #5 most popular program in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.
In 2025, College Factual analyzed 36 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 3,705 degrees in general studies to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great General Studies School
Your choice of general studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall General Studies School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
General Studies Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Studies Schools in the Plains States Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Best Schools for General Studies in the Plains States Region
Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the general studies degree levels they offer.
10 Top Plains States Region Schools in General Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In MO
567
General Studies Degrees Awarded
Columbia College is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in general studies. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #634 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Columbia College Missouri is a great college overall.
There were roughly 567 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Missouri in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general studies from Columbia College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In IA
96
General Studies Degrees Awarded
Any student who is interested in general studies has to look into Des Moines Area Community College. DMACC is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Ankeny. A Best Colleges rank of #408 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means DMACC is a great college overall.
There were about 96 general studies students who graduated with this degree at DMACC in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general studies from Des Moines Area Community College
Associates
Degree Type
AA in Liberal Arts
Program Name
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in AA in Liberal Arts from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Iowa Central Community College is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in general studies. Located in the remote town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a public college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #498 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa Central Community College is a great college overall.
There were about 10 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general studies from Iowa Central Community College
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
6th
Most Popular In MO
85
General Studies Degrees Awarded
Every student pursuing a degree in general studies needs to look into University of Missouri - Columbia. Located in the city of Columbia, Mizzou is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #131 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Mizzou is a great university overall.
There were about 85 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general studies from University of Missouri - Columbia
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In ND
101
General Studies Degrees Awarded
UND is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Grand Forks. A Best Colleges rank of #335 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UND is a great university overall.
There were approximately 101 general studies students who graduated with this degree at UND in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general studies from University of North Dakota
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In NE
399
General Studies Degrees Awarded
UNOMAHA is a large public university located in the large city of Omaha. A Best Colleges rank of #776 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UNOMAHA is a great university overall.
There were approximately 399 general studies students who graduated with this degree at UNOMAHA in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in general studies from University of Nebraska at Omaha
Hesston is a fairly small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Hesston. A Best Colleges rank of #899 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Hesston is a great college overall.
There were roughly 13 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Hesston in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in general studies from Hesston College
Bachelors
Degree Type
BA in General Studies
Program Name
Maximize your transfer credits and complete your bachelor's degree faster with this flexible online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in BA in General Studies from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In IA
77
General Studies Degrees Awarded
Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. A Best Colleges rank of #884 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa Western Community College is a great college overall.
There were about 77 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general studies from Iowa Western Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
9th
Most Popular In IA
Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a public college with a small student population. This college ranks 20th out of 37 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.
There were approximately 1 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Marshalltown Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in general studies from Marshalltown Community College
Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a public college with a small student population. This college ranks 26th out of 37 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.More information about a degree in general studies from North Iowa Area Community College