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2027 Best General Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

166 Colleges in the United States
27,739 General Studies Degrees Awarded
$31,983 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general studies programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 166 schools to find the best for general studies students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Studies in the Southeast 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

1

George Mason University tops our 2027 ranking of the best general studies schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 169 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $41,398 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. More information about a degree in general studies from George Mason University

2
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 29 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Miami earn around $50,614 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,590 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Miami

3

University Of The Cumberlands is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Williamsburg. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 298 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $50,547 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of The Cumberlands

4

Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at American Public University System, which ranked #4. 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 1,391 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $55,029. Students borrow a median of $6,195 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for American Public University System

5

Tennessee Technological University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of Cookeville. About 58% of students finish within six years. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 62 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $48,808. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Read more about the general studies program at Tennessee Technological University

6

West Virginia University earned the #6 position for general studies this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. West Virginia University awarded about 156 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $24,874. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. See the full general studies program report for West Virginia University

7

Northern Virginia Community College placed #7 among the best general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 578 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $28,249 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for Northern Virginia Community College

8

Middle Tennessee State University placed #8 among the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Murfreesboro. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 115 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $50,322. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $29,723 in student loans. More information about a degree in general studies from Middle Tennessee State University

9

University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #9 among the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. University Of Alabama At Birmingham awarded about 66 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $40,968 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,500. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Alabama At Birmingham

10

University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #10 position for general studies this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Mississippi Main Campus awarded about 44 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn around $37,174 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,450 to complete this degree. See the full general studies program report for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

11

University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #11 spot for general studies this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. University Of Southern Mississippi graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Mississippi in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $37,800 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,438 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Southern Mississippi

12

Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #12 position for general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Northeast Alabama Community College awarded about 209 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $24,228. Northeast Alabama Community College graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans. Read more about the general studies program at Northeast Alabama Community College

13

Northwest Arkansas Community College came in at #13 for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bentonville. Northwest Arkansas Community College awarded about 181 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $31,313 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,876. See the full general studies program report for Northwest Arkansas Community College

14
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College placed #14 among the best general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Dallas. About 13 general studies degrees were awarded at Gaston College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $26,838 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,334 to complete this degree. Get the full general studies details for Gaston College

15

Catawba Valley Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Hickory. There were roughly 20 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Catawba Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Catawba Valley Community College generally make around $23,951. Students borrow a median of $6,429 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Catawba Valley Community College

16

Southern Arkansas University Tech came in at #16 for general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public institution. There were roughly 21 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Arkansas University Tech in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $34,302. Typical student debt for the program is $8,488. Get the full general studies details for Southern Arkansas University Tech

17

Georgia Southwestern State University landed the #17 spot for general studies this year. Set in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public institution. About 41% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Southwestern State University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Georgia Southwestern State University earn a median of $52,428 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,245. More information about a degree in general studies from Georgia Southwestern State University

18

University Of North Georgia ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. University Of North Georgia graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 94 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Georgia in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $31,399 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,484. See the full general studies program report for University Of North Georgia

19
Life University crest
Life University
Marietta, GA

Life University came in at #19 for general studies this year. Set in the city of Marietta, Life University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. Life University awarded about 55 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $41,274 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,865. More information about a degree in general studies from Life University

20

Columbia Southern University earned the #20 position for general studies this year. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Columbia Southern University graduates 26% of students within six years. About 116 general studies degrees were awarded at Columbia Southern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $55,667 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,923 to complete this degree. Read more about the general studies program at Columbia Southern University

21

Lord Fairfax Community College placed #21 among the best general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 83 general studies degrees were awarded at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Lord Fairfax Community College earn around $21,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,865. More information about a degree in general studies from Lord Fairfax Community College

22

Freed Hardeman University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,479. More information about a degree in general studies from Freed Hardeman University

23

Nicholls State University landed the #23 spot for general studies this year. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 72 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Nicholls State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $43,888. Nicholls State University graduates carry a median of $24,513 in student loans. Get the full general studies details for Nicholls State University

24

University Of Louisiana Monroe came in at #24 for general studies this year. University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Monroe. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 75 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisiana Monroe in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $35,951. Typical student debt for the program is $26,844. Read more about the general studies program at University Of Louisiana Monroe

25
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University earned the #25 position for general studies this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Mississippi State University awarded about 56 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $36,318 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,435 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general studies from Mississippi State University

Rest of the Top 50 General Studies Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general studies this year:

26
27
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
28
29
30
Lagrange College crest
Lagrange College
Lagrange, GA
31
32
33
34
35
36
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Mcneese State University crest
Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA
49
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for general studies:

View All General Studies Rankings >

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 · 166 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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