by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 360 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general studies students pursuing a associate degree. Combined, these schools handed out 100,454 associate degrees in general studies to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of general studies for getting your associate degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To account for this we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for general studies students working on their associate degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for general studies students seeking a an associate degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in general studies has to take a look at American Public University System. American Military University is a very large private for-profit university located in the town of Charles Town.More information about a associate in general studies from American Public University System
Utah Valley University is a wonderful choice for students interested in an associate degree in general studies. UVU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Orem.More information about a associate in general studies from Utah Valley University
It is difficult to beat Southern New Hampshire University if you want to pursue an associate degree in general studies. SNHU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized suburb of Manchester.More information about a associate in general studies from Southern New Hampshire University
Northern Virginia Community College is a good decision for individuals pursuing an associate degree in general studies. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public college located in the large suburb of Annandale.More information about a associate in general studies from Northern Virginia Community College
Located in the large suburb of Grayslake, College of Lake County is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from College of Lake County
Central Texas College is a moderately-sized public college located in the midsize suburb of Killeen.More information about a associate in general studies from Central Texas College
National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of San Diego.More information about a associate in general studies from National University
USU is a very large public university located in the small city of Logan.More information about a associate in general studies from Utah State University
Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Portland Community College
CNM is a fairly large public college located in the city of Albuquerque.More information about a associate in general studies from Central New Mexico Community College
Mesa Community College is a large public college located in the large city of Mesa.More information about a associate in general studies from Mesa Community College
Macomb Community College is a large public college located in the midsize city of Warren.More information about a associate in general studies from Macomb Community College
Located in the midsize city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Columbia College
HCC is a medium-sized public college located in the medium-sized city of Columbia.More information about a associate in general studies from Howard Community College
Located in the suburb of Newark, UD is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from University of Delaware
Located in the large city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Northwest Vista College
DMACC is a very large public college located in the large suburb of Ankeny.More information about a associate in general studies from Des Moines Area Community College
Located in the city of Ogden, WSU is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Weber State University
Salt Lake Community College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Salt Lake City.More information about a associate in general studies from Salt Lake Community College
Located in the large suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from William Rainey Harper College
Located in the town of Bozeman, MSU Bozeman is a public university with a large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Montana State University
OCCC is a large public college located in the large city of Oklahoma City.More information about a associate in general studies from Oklahoma City Community College
Located in the midsize suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Collin County Community College District
MCC is a moderately-sized public college located in the city of Waco.More information about a associate in general studies from McLennan Community College
BYU - I is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the town of Rexburg.More information about a associate in general studies from Brigham Young University - Idaho
This section shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 360 different United States general studies schools we analyzed.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Austin Community College District | Austin, TX |
| 50 | McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL |
| 51 | Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth, TX |
| 52 | Phoenix College | Phoenix, AZ |
| 53 | Aims Community College | Greeley, CO |
| 54 | Odessa College | Odessa, TX |
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Mt. Hood Community College | Gresham, OR |
| 56 | College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL |
| 57 | Blinn College | Brenham, TX |
| 58 | Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 59 | City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL |
| 60 | Oakton Community College | Des Plaines, IL |
| 61 | Garden City Community College | Garden City, KS |
| 62 | Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL |
| 63 | Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL |
| 64 | Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, IN |
| 65 | Pikes Peak Community College | Colorado Springs, CO |
| 66 | Triton College | River Grove, IL |
| 67 | Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA |
| 68 | The University of Montana | Missoula, MT |
| 69 | Colorado Mountain College | Glenwood Springs, CO |
| 70 | South Dakota State University | Brookings, SD |
| 71 | Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA |
| 72 | Shorter University | Rome, GA |
View the Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
One of 3 majors within the Liberal Arts General Studies area of study, General Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts | 262,326 |
| Humanities | 19,961 |
| Individualized Studies | 18,456 |
