2027 Best General Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
General Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools to find the best for general studies students.
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Best Schools for General Studies in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general studies education in the Middle Atlantic Region.
Top Schools in General Studies
Cornell University tops our 2027 ranking of the best general studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 13 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $46,072 in their early career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at Cornell University
Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at George Washington University, which ranked #2. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 general studies students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Rowan University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 113 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $43,486 early in their careers. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Carnegie Mellon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $89,327 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,515.
More information about a degree in general studies from Carnegie Mellon University
A rank of #5 makes University Of Delaware one of the top schools for general studies. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. 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. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for University Of Delaware
Villanova University placed #6 among the best general studies schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 13 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $52,183 early in their careers. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #7 position for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of New Paltz. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. State University Of New York At New Paltz awarded about 40 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from State University Of New York At New Paltz earn around $41,000 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,530.
More information about a degree in general studies from State University Of New York At New Paltz
Alvernia University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Alvernia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $53,960 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,900.
See the full general studies program report for Alvernia University
Manhattan College came in at #9 for general studies this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 18 general studies degrees were awarded at Manhattan College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Manhattan College generally make around $61,065. Manhattan College graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans.
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Farmingdale State College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 172 general studies degrees were awarded at Farmingdale State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $22,443. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Farmingdale State College
Suffolk County Community College came in at #11 for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. About 874 general studies degrees were awarded at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Suffolk County Community College earn around $26,874 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Suffolk County Community College
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #12 spot for general studies this year. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Delaware Technical Community College Terry awarded about 206 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $27,598 in their early career. Delaware Technical Community College Terry graduates carry a median of $10,275 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #13 for general studies this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Suny College At Old Westbury graduates 45% of students within six years. Suny College At Old Westbury awarded about 24 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $27,165 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,833 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Suny College At Old Westbury
Suny College At Cortland placed #14 among the best general studies schools. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. Suny College At Cortland graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Cortland in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Suny College At Cortland earn around $37,940 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,150.
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Suny Empire State College earned the #15 position for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 521 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Suny Empire State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Suny Empire State College graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans.
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Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #16 among the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 174 general studies degrees were awarded at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $31,469 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general studies program at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #17 spot for general studies this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 24 general studies degrees were awarded at Suny College At Plattsburgh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $30,318. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
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Carlow University earned the #18 position for general studies this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carlow University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 13 general studies degrees were awarded at Carlow University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $66,938 in their early career. Carlow University graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from Carlow University
Baltimore City Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Baltimore City Community College awarded about 42 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Baltimore City Community College generally make around $41,120. Students borrow a median of $8,850 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Baltimore City Community College
Hudson Valley Community College placed #20 among the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 287 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Hudson Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $28,464. Typical student debt for the program is $10,046.
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Suny College At Buffalo landed the #21 spot for general studies this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 general studies degrees were awarded at Suny College At Buffalo in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $32,082 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Trinity Washington University came in at #22 for general studies this year. Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 49% of students finish within six years. Trinity Washington University awarded about 27 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $50,283 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,323 to complete this degree.
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Ocean County College came in at #23 for general studies this year. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Ocean County College awarded about 457 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $25,647 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,749 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Ocean County College
Roberts Wesleyan College landed the #24 spot for general studies this year. Roberts Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 11 general studies degrees were awarded at Roberts Wesleyan College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Roberts Wesleyan College earn a median of $30,102 early in their careers. Roberts Wesleyan College graduates carry a median of $23,236 in student loans.
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Howard Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Columbia. There were roughly 596 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Howard Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Howard Community College earn around $22,042 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,200.
More information about a degree in general studies from Howard Community College
Rest of the Top 50 General Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general studies this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 62 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.