2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2019-2020, 133,583 general studies students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country.
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” ranking analyzed 427 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate
The colleges and universities below are the best for associate degree general studies students.
Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 1,323 students in 2019-2020.
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. It costs about $10,222 for Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend American Public University System.
With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on General Studies at American Public University System
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Collin County Community College District. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. This large school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 1,123 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Collin County Community College District, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $6,293 for Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend Collin County Community College District.
Read full report on General Studies at Collin County Community College District
Out of the 427 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate that were part of this year’s ranking, Houston Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Houston Community College is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 2,851 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our associate degree general studies students list, Houston Community College has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Houston Community College is $5,272 for Associate Degree General Studies students.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend El Centro College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. Located in Dallas, Texas, this large public school awarded 5,589 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.
El Centro College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $4,373 for associate degree general studies students per year to attend El Centro College.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Virginia Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northern Virginia Community College, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Virginia Community College is $10,005 for associate degree general studies students.
Read more about General Studies at Northern Virginia Community College
Tarrant County College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate ranking, coming in at #6. Tarrant County College is a large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 4,575 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tarrant County College, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tarrant County College District is $5,434 for associate degree general studies students.
With a ranking of #7, Midland College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. Located in Midland, Texas, this small public school awarded 266 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.
Midland College excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Midland College is $4,745 for Associate Degree General Studies students.
Brazosport College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. Lake Jackson, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 306 students 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 $4,404 for associate degree general studies students per year to attend Brazosport College.
Oakland Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate ranking, coming in at #9. Oakland Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It awarded 750 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on this list, Oakland Community 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. It costs about $2,825 for associate degree general studies students per year to attend Oakland Community College.
Read more about General Studies at Oakland Community College
With a ranking of #10, Central Texas College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. Central Texas College is a fairly large school located in Killeen, Texas that handed out 494 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
Central Texas 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 estimated yearly cost for Central Texas College is $5,112 for associate degree general studies students.
Read full report on General Studies at Central Texas College
North Central Texas College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate ranking, coming in at #11. North Central Texas College is located in Gainesville, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 720 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, NCTC is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for North Central Texas College is $5,307 for associate degree general studies students.
With a ranking of #12, Ranger College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. This small school is located in Ranger, Texas, and it awarded 265 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Ranger College is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Ranger College is $4,818 for associate degree general studies students.
With a ranking of #13, South Texas College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. South Texas College is a public institution located in McAllen, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,257 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
South Texas College also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for South Texas College is $1,174 for associate degree general studies students.
With a ranking of #14, McLennan Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. MCC is a public institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 108 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
MCC also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend McLennan Community College is $6,752 for Associate Degree General Studies students.
Mesa Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. Located in Mesa, Arizona, this fairly large public school awarded 136 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.
Mesa Community College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Mesa Community College is $9,669 for Associate Degree General Studies students.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate ranking. Ankeny, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 119 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our associate degree general studies students list, DMACC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,076 for Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend DMACC.
Full Des Moines Area Community College General Studies Report
With a ranking of #17, Joliet Junior College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 174 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.
Joliet Junior College also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $4,693 for Associate Degree General Studies students.
Read full report on General Studies at Joliet Junior College
Bunker Hill Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate ranking, coming in at #18. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at BHCC, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BHCC is $7,867 for Associate Degree General Studies students.
Wharton County Junior College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in Wharton, Texas, and it awarded 324 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on this list, Wharton County Junior College is in the top on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $5,334 for Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend Wharton County Junior College.
Read more about General Studies at Wharton County Junior College
Macomb Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate ranking, coming in at #20. Macomb Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Warren, Michigan. It awarded 690 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on this list, Macomb Community 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. It costs about $8,724 for Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend Macomb Community College.
Read full report on General Studies at Macomb Community College
With a ranking of #21, Odessa College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. Located in Odessa, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 369 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.
Odessa College also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Odessa College is $5,963 for Associate Degree General Studies students.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate ranking. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school awarded 1,312 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.
CNM excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. It costs about $3,429 for associate degree general studies students per year to attend Central New Mexico Community College.
South Plains College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. Located in Levelland, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 439 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for South Plains College is $7,600 for associate degree general studies students.
With a ranking of #24, Suffolk County Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate list. Suffolk County Community College is located in Selden, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,398 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our associate degree general studies students list, Suffolk County Community College has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $5,533 for Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend Suffolk County Community College.
Full Suffolk County Community College General Studies Report
Blinn College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate ranking. Blinn College is a public institution located in Brenham, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,533 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Blinn College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $15,348 for Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend Blinn College.
Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate
While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Rank | College | Location |
---|---|---|
51 | Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ |
52 | Northland Pioneer College | Holbrook, AZ |
53 | Southwest Texas Junior College | Uvalde, TX |
54 | College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV |
55 | Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA |
56 | Hill College | Hillsboro, TX |
56 | Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale, AZ |
58 | Baltimore City Community College | Baltimore, MD |
59 | Guilford Technical Community College | Jamestown, NC |
60 | Weatherford College | Weatherford, TX |
61 | Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA |
62 | Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC |
63 | Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA |
64 | Amarillo College | Amarillo, TX |
65 | Delgado Community College | New Orleans, LA |
Rank | College | Location |
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General Studies students with family income $75-$110k
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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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