2026 Best General Master’s Degree Schools
General programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools to find the best for general students.
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Best Schools for General in the United States
Below are the best general schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in General
Rice University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 53 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.
More information about a degree in general from Rice University
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 162 general degrees in the most recent data year. General graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275.
More information about a degree in general from The University Of Texas At Austin
Students looking for a strong general program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 321 general students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. General graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Southern California came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 25 general degrees in the most recent data year. General graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general from University Of Southern California
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 38 general degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $54,302 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,917.
See the full general program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for general this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 general students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $63,515 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,491.
Get the full general details for Rochester Institute Of Technology
Suny At Binghamton earned the #7 position for general this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 general students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $51,766 in their early career. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans.
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Brigham Young University Provo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 23 general degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent year. General graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,184.
More information about a degree in general from Brigham Young University Provo
Michigan Technological University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general schools. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 general students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Typical student debt for the program is $25,800.
More information about a degree in general from Michigan Technological University
Suny At Albany earned the #10 position for general this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 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. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general from Suny At Albany
Portland State University came in at #11 for general this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 117 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.
See the full general program report for Portland State University
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general schools. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 23 general degrees in the most recent data 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. Typical student debt for the program is $26,162.
Read more about the general program at University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Wichita State University landed the #13 spot for general this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 41 general degrees were awarded at Wichita State University in the most recent year. General graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Wichita State University graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans.
Get the full general details for Wichita State University
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #14 for general this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 general students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. General graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,741.
Read more about the general program at University Of Missouri Kansas City
Other General Degree Levels
Explore the best general schools at other degree levels:
View All General Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 45 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.
