by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 859 U.S. colleges awarded 129,285 degrees and certificates in General Studies. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 73% of graduates. College Factual ranks 598 schools in its 2027 Best General Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $32,173 one year after completing, rising to $46,857 after four years.
A degree in General Studies covers General Studies. An Undifferentiated Program That Includes Instruction In The General Arts, General Science, Or Unstructured Studies. Examples: [Undeclared Major], [Undecided].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, general studies is a popular field of study, with 129,285 degrees awarded annually. 859 colleges award general studies degrees, an average of 151 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 5,908.
By level, the 129,285 awards include 18,001 certificates, 94,663 associate degrees, 12,917 bachelor’s degrees and 3,704 master’s degrees.
Women earned 62% of general studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (80,656 of 129,285). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (60,046) and Hispanic or Latino (34,107), and international students earned 2,218.
College Factual ranks 598 schools in its 2027 Best General Studies Schools ranking, including 468 for associate degrees, 183 for bachelor’s degrees and 7 for master’s degrees. It also ranks general studies schools within 47 states. In all, 859 colleges offer general studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
How long a general studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 18,001 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 94,663 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12,917 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,704 |
1 occupations are related to General Studies, with an average median salary of $68,967. Typical job titles include Foreign Service Teacher, Survey Research Teacher, City Planning Teacher and Industrial Arts Teacher.
The occupation related to general studies with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
General Studies graduates earn a median $32,173 one year after completing their program, $46,857 after four years and $43,964 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,173 |
| 4 years | $46,857 |
| 5 years | $43,964 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to general studies, with a median salary of $68,967.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
General Studies has 3 similar majors in the Liberal Arts & Humanities field, which together award 420,080 degrees a year; the largest are Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (348,742), Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other (52,665) and Humanities/Humanistic Studies (18,673). Browse all Liberal Arts & Humanities majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies | 348,742 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other | 52,665 |
| Humanities/Humanistic Studies | 18,673 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
