2026 Best General Education Associate’s Degree Schools
General Education 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 903 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general education students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for General Education in the United States
See the highest-ranked general education schools offering a associate’s degree below.
Top Schools in General Education
Our analysis ranked Capital Community College the best school in the country for a degree in general education. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. About 34 general education degrees were awarded at Capital Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Capital Community College earn around $43,086 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete this degree.
Get the full general education details for Capital Community College
Cuny Bronx Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Bronx. There were roughly 11 general education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bronx Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete this degree.
See the full general education program report for Cuny Bronx Community College
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 14 general education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,413.
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Suny Empire State College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Suny Empire State College graduates 36% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 general education students who graduated with this degree at Suny Empire State College in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $39,046 early in their careers. Suny Empire State College graduates carry a median of $21,422 in student loans.
See the full general education program report for Suny Empire State College
The University Of Montana Western is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. The University Of Montana Western graduates 54% of students within six years. The University Of Montana Western awarded about 55 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from The University Of Montana Western earn around $36,924 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general education program at The University Of Montana Western
Touro University Worldwide placed #6 among the best general education schools. Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Los Alamitos. Roughly 29% of students complete a degree within six years here. Touro University Worldwide awarded about 10 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Touro University Worldwide earn around $55,346 in the first couple years of their career. Touro University Worldwide graduates carry a median of $32,289 in student loans.
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Motlow State Community College placed #7 among the best general education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Tullahoma. Motlow State Community College awarded about 29 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Motlow State Community College earn around $43,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,470 to complete this degree.
See the full general education program report for Motlow State Community College
Southern Maine Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 13 general education students who graduated with this degree at Southern Maine Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $28,061 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,987.
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Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #9 position for general education this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 22 general education degrees were awarded at Lehigh Carbon Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Lehigh Carbon Community College earn around $39,957 in the first couple years of their career. Lehigh Carbon Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
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University Of The District Of Columbia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. University Of The District Of Columbia awarded about 97 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $57,060 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,200 to complete this degree.
See the full general education program report for University Of The District Of Columbia
Roane State Community College landed the #11 spot for general education this year. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Roane State Community College awarded about 20 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $36,933 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,408 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general education from Roane State Community College
Snow College landed the #12 spot for general education this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. About 29 general education degrees were awarded at Snow College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete this degree.
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Ivy Tech Community College earned the #13 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. About 190 general education degrees were awarded at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $26,848 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,874.
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Carroll Community College earned the #14 position for general education this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 10 general education degrees were awarded at Carroll Community College in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,398.
Read more about the general education program at Carroll Community College
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #15 spot for general education this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. New Mexico State University Dona Ana awarded about 20 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $39,399 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general education program at New Mexico State University Dona Ana
The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #16 position for general education this year. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. About 17 general education degrees were awarded at The Community College Of Baltimore County in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from The Community College Of Baltimore County earn around $52,440 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,804 to complete this degree.
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Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #17 spot for general education this year. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College awarded about 10 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $44,387 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general education program at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Palomar College earned the #18 position for general education this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Palomar College awarded about 11 general education degrees in the most recent data year.
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Howard Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public university. Howard Community College awarded about 11 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Howard Community College earn around $56,172 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,115.
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San Juan College came in at #20 for general education this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 21 general education degrees were awarded at San Juan College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general education from San Juan College
Highland Community College Highland landed the #21 spot for general education this year. Located in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 23 general education students who graduated with this degree at Highland Community College Highland in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $22,909 in their early career. Highland Community College Highland graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
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Middlesex County College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. About 39 general education degrees were awarded at Middlesex County College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $16,846. Typical student debt for the program is $7,000.
More information about a degree in general education from Middlesex County College
Cumberland University landed the #23 spot for general education this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 general education students who graduated with this degree at Cumberland University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $50,607. Cumberland University graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans.
Read more about the general education program at Cumberland University
Campbell University came in at #24 for general education this year. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. Campbell University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 general education students who graduated with this degree at Campbell University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Campbell University earn around $54,629 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general education from Campbell University
Columbia State Community College earned the #25 position for general education this year. Located in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 24 general education degrees were awarded at Columbia State Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Columbia State Community College earn around $44,481 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia State Community College graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans.
Get the full general education details for Columbia State Community College
Rest of the Top 50 General Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general education ranking:
Other General Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare General Education rankings across degree levels:
View All General Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 903 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
