General programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general schools.
The school you choose for general can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best General Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in general. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 91 general degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the general program make about $75,677 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
Get the full general details for University Of Southern California
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for general. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 357 general degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $66,254 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans.
See the full general program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the top schools for general. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 229 general degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $57,819 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general from The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 211 general degrees in the most recent data year. General graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree.
See the full general program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
A rank of #5 makes Brown University one of the top schools for general. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 general students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from Brown University earn around $62,820 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,025.
Get the full general details for Brown University
Rice University earned the #6 position for general this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 118 general students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. General graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Rice University graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans.
Get the full general details for Rice University
Vanderbilt University placed #7 among the best general schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 32 general degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $77,997 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
See the full general program report for Vanderbilt University
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #8 for general this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 50 general students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general program at University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #9 for general this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus awarded about 10 general degrees in the most recent data year. General graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $63,381 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,008.
More information about a degree in general from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Provo. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 128 general degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Brigham Young University Provo graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general from Brigham Young University Provo
Miami University Oxford ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 10 general degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $49,700 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,177.
See the full general program report for Miami University Oxford
Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #12 position for general this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates 72% of students within six years. About 114 general degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the general program make about $63,515 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general program at Rochester Institute Of Technology
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #13 position for general this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. About 21 general degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. General graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete this degree.
See the full general program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Baylor University placed #14 among the best general schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. About 52 general degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from Baylor University earn around $49,888 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete this degree.
Get the full general details for Baylor University
Suny At Albany came in at #15 for general this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 general students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $44,736 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521.
More information about a degree in general from Suny At Albany
Michigan Technological University placed #16 among the best general schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 32 general degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. General graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,800.
More information about a degree in general from Michigan Technological University
Northern Arizona University landed the #17 spot for general this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 general degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general from Northern Arizona University
Suny At Binghamton placed #18 among the best general schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Vestal. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 61 general degrees were awarded at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent year. Graduates of the general program make about $51,766 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,691.
More information about a degree in general from Suny At Binghamton
Boise State University landed the #19 spot for general this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Boise State University awarded about 17 general degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Typical student debt for the program is $24,311.
See the full general program report for Boise State University
Portland State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 156 general students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $47,717 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete this degree.
Get the full general details for Portland State University
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #21 for general this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Birmingham. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 38 general degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn around $55,413 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans.
See the full general program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Western Washington University earned the #22 position for general this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. About 65% of students finish within six years. Western Washington University awarded about 36 general degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general from Western Washington University
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 74 general degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Graduates of the general program make about $60,324 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general program at University Of Missouri Kansas City
Eastern Michigan University came in at #24 for general this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 general degrees were awarded at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent year. General graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Eastern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general from Eastern Michigan University
California Baptist University came in at #25 for general this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 13 general students who graduated with this degree at California Baptist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from California Baptist University earn around $51,999 in the first couple years of their career. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans.
Read more about the general program at California Baptist University
Rest of the Top 30 General Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general ranking:
General is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 30 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).
