2027 Best General Studies Schools in Tennessee
General Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for General Studies in Tennessee
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
Tennessee Technological University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general studies. 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. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 62 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $48,808 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
Read more about the general studies program at Tennessee Technological University
A rank of #2 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the top schools for general studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 115 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn around $50,322 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,723.
Read more about the general studies program at Middle Tennessee State University
Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Freed Hardeman University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 15 general studies degrees were awarded at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent 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.
Read more about the general studies program at Freed Hardeman University
Austin Peay State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Clarksville. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 773 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $39,947 in their early career. Austin Peay State University graduates carry a median of $22,314 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at Austin Peay State University
University Of Memphis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Memphis. University Of Memphis graduates 51% of students within six years. University Of Memphis awarded about 29 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from University Of Memphis earn around $46,132 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $38,972 to complete this degree.
Get the full general studies details for University Of Memphis
Carson Newman College earned the #6 position for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 19 general studies degrees were awarded at Carson Newman College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $48,797. Carson Newman College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from Carson Newman College
Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot for general studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. About 14 general studies degrees were awarded at Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $37,716 in their early career. Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $38,562 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for Tennessee State University
Fisk University earned the #8 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Fisk University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Fisk University graduates 30% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Fisk University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Fisk University earn a median of $38,089 early in their careers. Fisk University graduates carry a median of $26,310 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at Fisk University
Tusculum College came in at #9 for general studies this year. Set in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Tusculum College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tusculum College generally make around $47,624. Tusculum College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at Tusculum College
Bethel University Tennessee earned the #10 position for general studies this year. Located in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 17% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 general studies degrees were awarded at Bethel University Tennessee in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $62,331. Typical student debt for the program is $28,583.
More information about a degree in general studies from Bethel University Tennessee
More General Studies Rankings
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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 · 10 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.
