Best Schools for General Studies in the United States
See the highest-ranked general studies schools offering a master’s degree below.
Top Schools in General Studies
No school ranked higher than The University Of Texas At Austin this year for general studies. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 23 general studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $94,745. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $19,052 in student loans.
Get the full general studies details for The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #2 makes University Of Miami one of the top schools for general studies. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $50,614 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,590.
Read more about the general studies program at University Of Miami
Tennessee Technological University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #3. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 general studies degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Tennessee Technological University earn around $63,938 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
Get the full general studies details for Tennessee Technological University
University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #4. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 22 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent 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.
More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Chicago
Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Texas Christian University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 44 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Texas Christian University earn around $55,687 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Texas Christian University
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #6 position for general studies this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 80 general studies degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $55,570 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,723.
Read more about the general studies program at Middle Tennessee State University
University Of Memphis landed the #7 spot for general studies this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Memphis awarded about 14 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Memphis earn around $55,105 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $38,972 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Memphis
American Public University System came in at #8 for general studies this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. American Public University System awarded about 1,515 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $50,920 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,195.
More information about a degree in general studies from American Public University System
Tennessee State University came in at #9 for general studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Tennessee State University awarded about 13 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $37,716 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $38,562.
Read more about the general studies program at Tennessee State University
Austin Peay State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general studies schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Austin Peay State University awarded about 34 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Austin Peay State University earn around $53,388 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,314.
Read more about the general studies program at Austin Peay State University
Louisiana State University Shreveport placed #11 among the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. Louisiana State University Shreveport graduates 38% of students within six years. Louisiana State University Shreveport awarded about 62 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $34,855 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $34,500.
Read more about the general studies program at Louisiana State University Shreveport
Other General Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best general studies schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1069 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.