2026 Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 293 general education students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $63,838 early in their careers. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Johns Hopkins University

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for general education. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. About 189 general education degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $61,708 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. Get the full general education details for University Of California Los Angeles

3

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 146 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $77,526 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,492. Get the full general education details for California State University Sacramento

4

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 113 general education students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Stanford University earn around $71,967 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. See the full general education program report for Stanford University

5

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #5. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 151 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $77,285. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from University Of Pennsylvania

6

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 general education degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $70,847 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238. Read more about the general education program at University Of California Berkeley

7

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 36 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $54,471 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from California State University Fullerton

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for general education this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 68 general education degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. More information about a degree in general education from California State University Long Beach

9

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #9 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 145 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $61,108 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for University Of California Riverside

10

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis came in at #10 for general education this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 24 general education degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Washington University In St Louis

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #11 spot for general education this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 32 general education degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $70,724 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. See the full general education program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

12

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #12 spot for general education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 126 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $61,550. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Point Loma Nazarene University

13

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield earned the #13 position for general education this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 121 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Bakersfield in the most recent data year. See the full general education program report for California State University Bakersfield

14

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #14 position for general education this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 91 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $59,285. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of California Davis

15

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #15 for general education this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 54 general education degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $61,100 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,101. See the full general education program report for University Of California San Diego

16

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #16 position for general education this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 10 general education degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $65,968. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for Harvard University

17

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University landed the #17 spot for general education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Azusa. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. Azusa Pacific University awarded about 73 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $63,794. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Azusa Pacific University

18

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #18 spot for general education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 70 general education degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $68,117 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,886. Get the full general education details for California State University Dominguez Hills

19

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego placed #19 among the best general education schools. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 53 general education degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $73,028 in their early career. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at University Of San Diego

20

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University placed #20 among the best general education schools. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 22 general education degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Sonoma State University earn around $80,657 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,031. Get the full general education details for Sonoma State University

21

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University landed the #21 spot for general education this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 176 general education students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $67,260. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from California Baptist University

22

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #22 among the best general education schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 29 general education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for California State University Northridge

23

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Bethlehem, PA

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #23 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary awarded about 19 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $48,472 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,857. See the full general education program report for Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary

24

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #24 among the best general education schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of San Francisco awarded about 55 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $62,201 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for University Of San Francisco

25

Whitworth University
Spokane, WA

Whitworth University came in at #25 for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Whitworth University awarded about 14 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $80,115 early in their careers. Whitworth University graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Whitworth University