2027 Best General Studies Schools in Alabama
General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general studies programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools to find the best for general studies students.
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Best Schools for General Studies in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general studies education in Alabama.
Top Schools in General Studies
University Of Alabama At Birmingham tops our 2027 ranking of the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Birmingham. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 general studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $40,968. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. There were roughly 209 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Alabama Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $24,228 in their early career. Northeast Alabama Community College graduates carry a median of $7,987 in student loans.
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Columbia Southern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #3. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit university. About 26% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 116 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $55,667. Typical student debt for the program is $15,923.
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A rank of #4 makes Enterprise State Community College one of the top schools for general studies. Set in the town of Enterprise, Enterprise State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 123 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Enterprise State Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Enterprise State Community College generally make around $22,991. Enterprise State Community College graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans.
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Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 332 general studies degrees were awarded at Northwest Shoals Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $20,414 in their early career. Northwest Shoals Community College graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
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George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned the #6 position for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Dothan. There were roughly 349 general studies students who graduated with this degree at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn around $26,004 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,942.
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George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earned the #7 position for general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. About 265 general studies degrees were awarded at George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn a median of $21,919 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,175 to complete this degree.
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Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus landed the #8 spot for general studies this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 92 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $26,759 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus
Shelton State Community College placed #9 among the best general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. There were roughly 11 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Shelton State Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $23,390 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,375.
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John C Calhoun State Community College placed #10 among the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. John C Calhoun State Community College awarded about 1,057 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from John C Calhoun State Community College earn around $24,455 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,236 to complete this degree.
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Lurleen B Wallace Community College landed the #11 spot for general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 105 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Lurleen B Wallace Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn around $24,295 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
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James H Faulkner State Community College came in at #12 for general studies this year. Set in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 487 general studies students who graduated with this degree at James H Faulkner State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from James H Faulkner State Community College earn around $22,329 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
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Southern Union State Community College placed #13 among the best general studies schools. Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Wadley. There were roughly 851 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Union State Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Southern Union State Community College earn around $26,174 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,860.
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Bevill State Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 375 general studies degrees were awarded at Bevill State Community College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $25,063 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,750.
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Jefferson State Community College earned the #15 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public institution. Jefferson State Community College awarded about 297 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Jefferson State Community College earn a median of $28,176 early in their careers. Jefferson State Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
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Snead State Community College came in at #16 for general studies this year. Located in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 482 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Snead State Community College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Snead State Community College earn a median of $22,559 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,597.
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Gadsden State Community College earned the #17 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Gadsden State Community College awarded about 169 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Gadsden State Community College earn around $18,926 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,774.
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Bishop State Community College landed the #18 spot for general studies this year. Bishop State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mobile. About 174 general studies degrees were awarded at Bishop State Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $22,764 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,355 to complete this degree.
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Marion Military Institute landed the #19 spot for general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Marion Military Institute is a small public institution. Marion Military Institute awarded about 81 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Marion Military Institute earn a median of $25,501 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #20 for general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Montgomery. H Councill Trenholm State Technical College awarded about 25 general studies degrees in the most recent data year.
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Oakwood University landed the #21 spot for general studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Huntsville. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 15 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Oakwood University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $30,724 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $51,250.
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Chattahoochee Valley Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 120 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $28,470 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete this degree.
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Alabama A And M University came in at #23 for general studies this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. Alabama A And M University awarded about 54 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $28,877 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $33,000.
More information about a degree in general studies from Alabama A And M University
Central Alabama Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Central Alabama Community College awarded about 167 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $24,698 in their early career. Central Alabama Community College graduates carry a median of $9,911 in student loans.
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George C Wallace State Community College Selma earned the #25 position for general studies this year. Set in the town of Selma, George C Wallace State Community College Selma is a mid-sized public institution. About 143 general studies degrees were awarded at George C Wallace State Community College Selma in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Selma earn a median of $18,355 early in their careers. George C Wallace State Community College Selma graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for George C Wallace State Community College Selma
Rest of the Top 26 General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general studies education:
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 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.