College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best General Education Schools in the Southeast Region

84 Colleges in the United States
3,925 General Education Degrees Awarded
$48,425 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general education programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 84 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 Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general education education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in General Education

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Georgia this year for general education. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 54 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Georgia earn around $69,003 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792. Read more about the general education program at University Of Georgia

2
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 general education students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. More information about a degree in general education from Auburn University

3
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general education schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 79 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $58,388 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669. See the full general education program report for University Of Florida

4

George Mason University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 53 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $89,993 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from George Mason University

5

A rank of #5 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the top schools for general education. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 general education students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Typical student debt for the program is $22,113. More information about a degree in general education from North Carolina State University At Raleigh

6
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College earned the #6 position for general education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Davidson. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 general education students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. Typical student debt for the program is $19,906. Get the full general education details for Davidson College

7

University Of Florida Online came in at #7 for general education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida Online awarded about 55 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Florida Online earn around $43,438 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,784 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at University Of Florida Online

8
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #8 among the best general education schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 128 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $55,195 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for James Madison University

9

University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best general education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 99 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $72,080 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from University Of Virginia Main Campus

10
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College placed #10 among the best general education schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rhodes College awarded about 16 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $40,807 early in their careers. Rhodes College graduates carry a median of $25,364 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Rhodes College

11
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University landed the #11 spot for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Mississippi State. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 66 general education students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $47,383. Typical student debt for the program is $23,969. See the full general education program report for Mississippi State University

12

University Of Central Florida came in at #12 for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Florida awarded about 109 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $61,179. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for University Of Central Florida

13

Florida Atlantic University came in at #13 for general education this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. About 63% of students finish within six years. Florida Atlantic University awarded about 42 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $38,928 early in their careers. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $18,474 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Florida Atlantic University

14
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #14 among the best general education schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 62 general education degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Clemson University earn around $50,364 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Clemson University

15

Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #15 position for general education this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 57 general education degrees were awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $38,392 early in their careers. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates carry a median of $20,755 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Florida Gulf Coast University

16

Jacksonville State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best general education schools. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Jacksonville State University awarded about 31 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $65,943 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,751 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Jacksonville State University

17

University Of North Alabama landed the #17 spot for general education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Florence. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Alabama awarded about 26 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for University Of North Alabama

18

Northern Virginia Community College placed #18 among the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. About 96 general education degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $40,126 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,413. Read more about the general education program at Northern Virginia Community College

19

Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 46 general education students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $65,654 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at Virginia Commonwealth University

20

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best general education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 68 general education students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $46,768 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

21

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #21 among the best general education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $67,996 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

22

The University Of Tennessee came in at #22 for general education this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 136 general education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $72,937 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from The University Of Tennessee

23

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #23 for general education this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. About 72% of students finish within six years. University Of Mississippi Main Campus awarded about 38 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $75,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,444. Read more about the general education program at University Of Mississippi Main Campus

24

Valdosta State University earned the #24 position for general education this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 26 general education students who graduated with this degree at Valdosta State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Valdosta State University earn around $44,914 in the first couple years of their career. Valdosta State University graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Valdosta State University

25
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas earned the #25 position for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $31,068. Students borrow a median of $26,522 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for University Of Arkansas

Rest of the Top 50 General Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general education education:

26
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
27
28
Shepherd University crest
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV
29
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
30
31
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA
32
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA
33
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC
41
42
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
43
44
45
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
46
47
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
48
Union University crest
Union University
Jackson, TN
49
Converse College crest
Converse College
Spartanburg, SC
50
Union College Kentucky crest
Union College Kentucky
Barbourville, KY

View All General Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 84 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options