College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2023 Best General Education Schools

435 Colleges in the United States
29,810 Education Degrees Awarded
$48,719 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in general education, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #41 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual reviewed 435 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of general education. Combined, these schools handed out 29,810 degrees in general education to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great General Education School

Best General Education Schools The education program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Education rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for general education schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

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 Education Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Education
Master's Degrees in Education
Doctor's Degrees in Education

The education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best General Education Schools. 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 Education in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of education degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Education

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
643 Education Degrees Awarded
$53,931 Median Starting Salary

It's hard to beat Johns Hopkins University if you wish to pursue a degree in general education. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were approximately 643 general education students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general education major at Johns Hopkins University make $5,212 above the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general education from Johns Hopkins University

2
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
591 Education Degrees Awarded
$78,976 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in general education has to take a look at Harvard University. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #12 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were about 591 general education students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general education degree program at Harvard University make $30,257 more than the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general education from Harvard University

3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
150 Education Degrees Awarded
29.3% Growth in Graduates

Every student who is interested in general education needs to check out University of Washington - Seattle Campus. UW Seattle is a fairly large public university located in the city of Seattle. This university ranks 1st out of 51 schools for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 150 general education students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. General Education degree recipients from University of Washington - Seattle Campus receive an earnings boost of about $6,502 above the typical earnings of general education graduates.

More information about a degree in general education from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

4
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
68 Education Degrees Awarded
$70,559 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat Stanford University if you want to pursue a degree in general education. Located in the large suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were about 68 general education students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year. Those general education students who get their degree from Stanford University earn $21,840 more than the typical education graduate.

More information about a degree in general education from Stanford University

5
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
134 Education Degrees Awarded
$67,978 Median Starting Salary

UPenn is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were roughly 134 general education students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. General Education degree recipients from University of Pennsylvania get an earnings boost of about $19,259 over the average earnings of general education graduates.

More information about a degree in general education from University of Pennsylvania

6
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In RI
20.0% Growth in Graduates

Brown is a large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Providence. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Brown is a great university overall.

There were approximately 30 general education students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general education from Brown University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
233 Education Degrees Awarded
15.5% Growth in Graduates

UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign. This university ranks 3rd out of 87 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 233 general education students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. General Education degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn a boost of approximately $7,379 above the typical earnings of general education graduates.

More information about a degree in general education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
258 Education Degrees Awarded
$70,750 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were roughly 258 general education students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available. General Education degree recipients from Purdue University - Main Campus receive an earnings boost of about $22,031 above the average income of general education graduates.

More information about a degree in general education from Purdue University - Main Campus

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
159 Education Degrees Awarded
1.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #32 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 159 general education students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent year we have data available. General Education degree recipients from University of Virginia - Main Campus receive an earnings boost of approximately $20,677 over the typical earnings of general education graduates.

More information about a degree in general education from University of Virginia - Main Campus

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
58 Education Degrees Awarded
24.1% Growth in Graduates

Claremont Graduate University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Claremont. This university ranks 28th out of 170 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 58 general education students who graduated with this degree at Claremont Graduate University in the most recent year we have data available. Those general education students who get their degree from Claremont Graduate University receive $53,374 more than the typical education graduate.

More information about a degree in general education from Claremont Graduate University

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
222 Education Degrees Awarded
1.8% Growth in Graduates

UCLA is a very large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 222 general education students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. General Education degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles receive an earnings boost of approximately $11,575 above the typical income of general education majors.

More information about a degree in general education from University of California - Los Angeles

12
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In TX
383 Education Degrees Awarded

Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the city of College Station. This university ranks 3rd out of 116 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 383 general education students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general education from Texas A&M University - College Station

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
45 Education Degrees Awarded
$85,849 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 45 general education students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. General Education degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley get an earnings boost of around $37,130 above the average earnings of general education graduates.

More information about a degree in general education from University of California - Berkeley

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
368 Education Degrees Awarded
$38,782 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 14th out of 170 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 368 general education students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the education program report average early career earnings of $38,782.

More information about a degree in general education from University of California - Irvine

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
174 Education Degrees Awarded
$50,991 Median Starting Salary

Pitt is a very large public university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. This university ranks 9th out of 117 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 174 general education students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent year we have data available. Those general education students who get their degree from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus receive $2,272 more than the average education grad.

More information about a degree in general education from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
127 Education Degrees Awarded
29.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 9th out of 170 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 127 general education students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent data year. General Education degree recipients from University of California - San Diego receive an earnings boost of about $5,983 above the typical income of general education graduates.

More information about a degree in general education from University of California - San Diego

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
259 Education Degrees Awarded
$79,690 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 47th out of 170 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 259 general education students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific in the most recent data year. General Education degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University get an earnings boost of approximately $30,971 over the typical income of general education graduates.

More information about a degree in general education from Azusa Pacific University

18
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
186 Education Degrees Awarded
$44,345 Median Starting Salary

Michigan State is a very large public university located in the small city of East Lansing. This university ranks 2nd out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were approximately 186 general education students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the education program earn an average of $44,345 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in general education from Michigan State University

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
124 Education Degrees Awarded
$46,287 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 124 general education students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients typically make around $46,287 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in general education from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

20
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
16th Most Popular In MA

Located in the large suburb of Medford, Tufts is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Tufts is a great university overall.

There were roughly 19 general education students who graduated with this degree at Tufts in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general education from Tufts University

21
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
19th Most Popular In TN
18.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were approximately 11 general education students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general education from Vanderbilt University

22
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In NC
9.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Raleigh, NC State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were about 21 general education students who graduated with this degree at NC State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general education from North Carolina State University

23
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$46,612 Median Starting Salary

NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 19 general education students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients usually earn around $46,612 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in general education from New York University

24
Niagara crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NY
136 Education Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 61st out of 143 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 136 general education students who graduated with this degree at Niagara in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general education from Niagara University

25
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In OR
160 Education Degrees Awarded

Located in the fringe town of Monmouth, Western Oregon State College is a public university with a small student population. This university ranks 7th out of 31 colleges for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were approximately 160 general education students who graduated with this degree at Western Oregon State College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general education from Western Oregon University

Rest of the Top Best General Education Schools

25
26
26
28
29
NUS Florida crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
30
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
31

32
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

33
34
35
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
36
37
38
39
40
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO

41
John Carroll crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

42
Monmouth crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ
43
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
44
45
46
47
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, OH
48
49
Goucher crest
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Best General Education Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 435 different United States general education schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
50 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
51 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
52 Brandeis University Waltham, MA
53 Boston University Boston, MA
54 University of San Diego San Diego, CA
55 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
56 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
57 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
58 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
59 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
60 University of California - Riverside Riverside, CA
61 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
62 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
63 Fairfield University Fairfield, CT
64 National University La Jolla, CA
65 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best General Education Schools award.

Rank College Location
66 Brandman University Irvine, CA
67 Marquette University Milwaukee, WI
68 Saint Michael’s College Colchester, VT
69 Iowa State University Ames, IA
70 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
71 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL
72 University of Vermont Burlington, VT
73 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
74 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
75 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
76 Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, MN
77 Lewis & Clark College Portland, OR
78 Clemson University Clemson, SC
79 St Olaf College Northfield, MN
80 Saint Mary’s College of California Moraga, CA
81 Winona State University Winona, MN
82 La Salle University Philadelphia, PA
83 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA
84 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
85 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
86 University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
87 University of Rochester Rochester, NY

General Education by Region

View the Best General Education Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 14 majors within the Education area of study, General Education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Teacher Education Grade Specific 110,226
Educational Administration 46,469
Teacher Education Subject Specific 43,297
Special Education 36,792
Curriculum & Instruction 19,832
Student Counseling 13,858
Instructional Media Design 8,695
Teaching English or French 5,791
Other Education 4,858
Teaching Assistants 2,751

View All Education Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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