General Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 598 schools to find the best for general studies students.
The general studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Studies rankings. For our Best Overall General Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best General Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for general studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 general studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $69,994 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $19,052 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
Cornell University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 general studies degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Cornell University earn around $46,072 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Cornell University
George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 169 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $41,398 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from George Mason University
George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. George Washington University awarded about 12 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
More information about a degree in general studies from George Washington University
Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at University Of Connecticut, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 118 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $44,240. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
Get the full general studies details for University Of Connecticut
Rowan University came in at #6 for general studies this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 113 general studies degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $43,486 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full general studies program report for Rowan University
University Of Chicago placed #7 among the best general studies schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Chicago earn around $26,094 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for University Of Chicago
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 36 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $38,065 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,728.
See the full general studies program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Sacred Heart University landed the #9 spot for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 19 general studies degrees were awarded at Sacred Heart University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $62,864 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general studies program at Sacred Heart University
University Of Miami placed #10 among the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $50,614 early in their careers. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $28,590 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at University Of Miami
University Of North Dakota came in at #11 for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Forks. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 111 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $42,948 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Dakota graduates carry a median of $24,901 in student loans.
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University Of North Texas placed #12 among the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 374 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $36,588 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,254 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for University Of North Texas
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #13 for general studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 13 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Students borrow a median of $25,515 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Carnegie Mellon University
Harper College placed #14 among the best general studies schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 141 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Harper College earn around $27,619 in the first couple years of their career. Harper College graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from Harper College
University Of Delaware earned the #15 position for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 209 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $13,833 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Kansas ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 105 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $42,527. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Kansas
College Of Dupage ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. There were roughly 108 general studies students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $28,678 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
See the full general studies program report for College Of Dupage
Villanova University placed #18 among the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. Villanova University awarded about 13 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Villanova University earn around $52,183 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the general studies program at Villanova University
College Of Lake County came in at #19 for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. College Of Lake County awarded about 14 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $33,413 in their early career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $6,687 in student loans.
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University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #20 for general studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $50,420 in their early career. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at University Of St Thomas Texas
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #21 for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of New Paltz. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. State University Of New York At New Paltz awarded about 40 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $41,000 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for State University Of New York At New Paltz
Aurora University placed #22 among the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,614 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full general studies program report for Aurora University
Joliet Junior College came in at #23 for general studies this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Joliet Junior College awarded about 102 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $27,296 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250.
See the full general studies program report for Joliet Junior College
Alvernia University placed #24 among the best general studies schools. Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 36 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Alvernia University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Alvernia University earn a median of $53,960 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,900 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general studies program at Alvernia University
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #25 position for general studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 111 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Denver in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $66,288 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Colorado Denver
Rest of the Top 50 General Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general studies this year:
General Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 598 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).
