General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 468 schools to find the best for general studies students.
Leading the list is George Washington University, our #1 school for general studies. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 12 general studies students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $73,749 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans.
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Harper College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. About 141 general studies degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent 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.
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University Of Delaware came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. 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. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $13,833. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500.
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College Of Lake County is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. 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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College Of Dupage is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #5. 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. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
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Joliet Junior College landed the #6 spot for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. About 102 general studies degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree.
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University Of Colorado Denver placed #7 among the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Denver. About 46% of students finish within six years. University Of Colorado Denver awarded about 111 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $66,288 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,582.
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Salt Lake Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. About 805 general studies degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $35,804. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans.
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Manhattan College landed the #9 spot for general studies this year. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. Manhattan College awarded about 18 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of $61,065 early in their careers. Manhattan College graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #10 for general studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. About 132 general studies degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $31,322 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,550.
See the full general studies program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Collin County Community College District ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of McKinney. Collin County Community College District awarded about 945 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Collin County Community College District earn around $32,114 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,250.
More information about a degree in general studies from Collin County Community College District
Waubonsee Community College earned the #12 position for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Waubonsee Community College awarded about 54 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $27,597. Typical student debt for the program is $7,250.
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American Public University System ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. About 47% of students finish within six years. American Public University System awarded about 1,351 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $52,108. Students borrow a median of $6,125 to complete this degree.
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Farmingdale State College earned the #14 position for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 172 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Farmingdale State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $22,443. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
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University Of La Verne earned the #15 position for general studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Verne. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of La Verne earn around $25,945 in the first couple years of their career. University Of La Verne graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans.
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Suffolk County Community College came in at #16 for general studies this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Suffolk County Community College awarded about 874 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $26,874 in their early career. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans.
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University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #17 spot for general studies this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $30,144 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates carry a median of $10,700 in student loans.
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Central Washington University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 general studies degrees were awarded at Central Washington University in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $44,178 early in their careers. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $21,988 in student loans.
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Lawrence Technological University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Lawrence Technological University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $74,924. Lawrence Technological University graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans.
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El Centro College landed the #20 spot for general studies this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. There were roughly 5,908 general studies students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $33,060 in their early career. El Centro College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
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Aims Community College earned the #21 position for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Greeley. Aims Community College awarded about 35 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $29,845. Typical student debt for the program is $9,152.
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Weber State University came in at #22 for general studies this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Weber State University graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 1,575 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Weber State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $34,165 in their early career. Weber State University graduates carry a median of $13,054 in student loans.
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Northern Virginia Community College earned the #23 position for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. About 578 general studies degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $32,144 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
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Colorado Mountain College landed the #24 spot for general studies this year. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. About 14% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Colorado Mountain College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $32,551 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,541.
More information about a degree in general studies from Colorado Mountain College
Austin Community College District ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Austin Community College District awarded about 2,074 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Austin Community College District earn around $38,436 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Austin Community College District
Rest of the Top 50 General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general studies education:
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 · 468 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).
