2027 Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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 101 schools to find the best for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for General Studies in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in General Studies
University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general studies. 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. Graduates of the general studies program make about $26,094 in their early career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at University Of Chicago
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for general studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 36 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $20,728 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Harper College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. There were roughly 141 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $27,619 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500.
See the full general studies program report for Harper College
A rank of #4 makes College Of Dupage one of the top schools for general studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 108 general studies degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $28,678 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from College Of Dupage
College Of Lake County is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. There were roughly 14 general studies students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $33,413. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $6,687 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at College Of Lake County
Aurora University landed the #6 spot for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 general studies degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,614 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Aurora University
Joliet Junior College earned the #7 position for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 102 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $27,296 in the first couple years of their career. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from Joliet Junior College
Waubonsee Community College landed the #8 spot for general studies this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. There were roughly 58 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $27,597 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general studies program at Waubonsee Community College
Lawrence Technological University earned the #9 position for general studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Southfield. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Lawrence Technological University awarded about 12 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Lawrence Technological University earn around $74,924 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,799.
Get the full general studies details for Lawrence Technological University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #10 spot for general studies this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 24 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $37,845 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,011.
See the full general studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Macomb Community College earned the #11 position for general studies this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. There were roughly 593 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Macomb Community College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $29,791 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full general studies details for Macomb Community College
Northeastern Illinois University placed #12 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. About 28 general studies degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $42,976 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for Northeastern Illinois University
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #13 spot for general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. About 15 general studies degrees were awarded at Lincoln Land Community College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $34,164 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,022 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Lincoln Land Community College
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #14 for general studies this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global awarded about 219 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $43,637 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,844 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #15 for general studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. There were roughly 132 general studies students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn around $31,322 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,348 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general studies program at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Oakton Community College placed #16 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Oakton Community College awarded about 11 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $24,918 early in their careers. Oakton Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at Oakton Community College
Mchenry County College placed #17 among the best general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. Mchenry County College awarded about 21 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $19,740. Students borrow a median of $6,581 to complete this degree.
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Illinois Central College came in at #18 for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. About 73 general studies degrees were awarded at Illinois Central College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $29,845. Typical student debt for the program is $9,656.
Read more about the general studies program at Illinois Central College
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #19 spot for general studies this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 125 general studies students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn around $29,168 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,925 to complete this degree.
Get the full general studies details for City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #20 among the best general studies schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 52 general studies students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn around $32,568 in the first couple years of their career. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College graduates carry a median of $6,750 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Grand Rapids Community College came in at #21 for general studies this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Grand Rapids Community College awarded about 150 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $33,777 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,644 to complete this degree.
Get the full general studies details for Grand Rapids Community College
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #22 among the best general studies schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 221 general studies students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $34,644 in their early career. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Triton College came in at #23 for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of River Grove. About 122 general studies degrees were awarded at Triton College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $27,342 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,500.
More information about a degree in general studies from Triton College
Kankakee Community College earned the #24 position for general studies this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. There were roughly 24 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Kankakee Community College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Kankakee Community College graduates carry a median of $5,900 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for Kankakee Community College
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #25 for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. About 372 general studies degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Moraine Valley Community College earn around $23,372 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,750.
See the full general studies program report for Moraine Valley Community College
Rest of the Top 50 General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general studies education:
Narrow General Studies Schools by State
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 101 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
