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2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k

424 Ranked Colleges
101,847 Degrees Awarded
$4,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 133,583 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, general studies is the 5th most popular major in the United States.

At the associate degree level specifically, there were 101,847 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,082 and $17,678 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 424 colleges that offered a degree in general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies (Income $30-$48k)

#1

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend El Centro College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. El Centro College is a large public school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 5,589 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

El Centro College also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,228 for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend El Centro College.

Full El Centro College General Studies Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tarrant County College District. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k. Tarrant County College District is a large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 4,575 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarrant County College also took the #3 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tarrant County College is $5,742 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Tarrant County College District

#3

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
Top 10% in overall quality

Out of the 424 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, South Texas College landed the #3 spot on the list. South Texas College is located in McAllen, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,257 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on this list, South Texas College is in the top on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend South Texas College is $1,390 for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at South Texas College

#4

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
Top 15% in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moraine Valley Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 296 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, MVCC is in the top on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Moraine Valley Community College is $1,513 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Moraine Valley Community College

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Suffolk County Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Selden, New York, this large public school awarded 1,398 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Suffolk County Community College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,371 for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Suffolk County Community College.

Full Suffolk County Community College General Studies Report

#6

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Houston Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 2,851 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Houston Community College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Houston Community College is $5,351 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Houston Community College

#8 in overall quality

Austin Community College District came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 1,547 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Community College District did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Community College District is $4,362 for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Austin Community College District

#8

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Top 10% in overall quality

Oakland Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oakland Community College is a fairly large school located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan that handed out 750 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland Community College also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Oakland Community College is $1,614 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Oakland Community College General Studies Report

#9

Brazosport College

Lake Jackson, Texas
#21 in overall quality

Brazosport College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Lake Jackson, Texas, and it awarded 306 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

BC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $4,286 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Brazosport College.

Full BC General Studies Report

#10

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

College of Lake County landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 31 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $4,136 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at College of Lake County

#11

Cleveland Community College

Shelby, North Carolina

Cleveland Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Cleveland Community College is a public institution located in Shelby, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland Community College is $4,495 for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Cleveland Community College

#12

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Top 10% in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Central New Mexico Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 1,312 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, CNM is in the top on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $3,626 for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central New Mexico Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Central New Mexico Community College

#5 in overall quality

Collin County Community College District came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. McKinney, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 1,123 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Collin County Community College District has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Collin County Community College District is $5,536 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Collin County Community College District

#14

College of the Mainland

Texas City, Texas

College of the Mainland came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Texas City, Texas, and it awarded 269 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $1,101 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend COM.

Read more about General Studies at College of the Mainland

Top 15% in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 175 students in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Wilbur Wright College also did well on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wilbur Wright College is $3,204 for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Wilbur Wright College

#16

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
Top 10% in overall quality

Pima Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Pima Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 156 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Pima County Community College District is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $3,417 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Pima County Community College District.

Full Pima County Community College District General Studies Report

#17

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
#1 in overall quality

American Public University System landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. American Military University is located in Charles Town, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,323 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at American Military University, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for American Public University System is $10,917 for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full American Military University General Studies Report

#2 in overall quality

Northern Virginia Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,374 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Northern Virginia Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Northern Virginia Community College is $8,818 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Northern Virginia Community College

Top 10% in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 108 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $3,155 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harold Washington College.

Read full report on General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

#19

Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake City, Utah
#13 in overall quality

Salt Lake Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Salt Lake Community College is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,432 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Salt Lake Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Salt Lake Community College is $6,329 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Salt Lake Community College

#21

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

Martinsburg, West Virginia

With a ranking of #21, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is located in Martinsburg, West Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is $6,744 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College

#22

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Harper College is a fairly large public school situated in Palatine, Illinois. It awarded 98 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harper College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend William Rainey Harper College is $6,497 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Harper College

#23

Northwest Vista College

San Antonio, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Northwest Vista College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwest Vista College is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,339 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwest Vista College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,906 for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwest Vista College.

Read more about General Studies at Northwest Vista College

#24

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Top 10% in overall quality

College of DuPage did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and it awarded 138 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

COD also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend College of DuPage is $6,455 for associate degree general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full College of DuPage General Studies Report

#25

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
#12 in overall quality

San Antonio College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Antonio College is a fairly large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 1,926 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

San Antonio College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $6,189 for Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Antonio College.

Read more about General Studies at San Antonio College

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
#27

Delta College

University Center, Michigan
#28

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
#29

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
#30

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
#31

North Central Texas College

Gainesville, Texas
#32

Middlesex Community College

Bedford, Massachusetts
#34

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#35

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
#36

Midland College

Midland, Texas
#38

Hinds Community College

Raymond, Mississippi
#39

College of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada
#40

Colorado Mountain College

Glenwood Springs, Colorado
#42

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas
#43

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois
#44

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois
#50

Erie Community College

Buffalo, New York

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Making $30-$48k

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Chesapeake College Wye Mills, MD
52 Bunker Hill Community College Boston, MA
53 Chattahoochee Valley Community College Phenix City, AL
54 Lenoir Community College Kinston, NC
55 Kalamazoo Valley Community College Kalamazoo, MI
56 Coahoma Community College Clarksdale, MS
57 Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RI
58 Mississippi Delta Community College Moorhead, MS
59 Odessa College Odessa, TX
60 Portland Community College Portland, OR
61 Henry Ford College Dearborn, MI
62 Palo Alto College San Antonio, TX
63 Mt. Hood Community College Gresham, OR
64 NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville, AR

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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