2027 Best General Studies Schools in Virginia
General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general studies schools.
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Best Schools for General Studies in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general studies education in Virginia.
Top Schools in General Studies
Leading the list is George Mason University, our #1 school for general studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 169 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $41,398. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full general studies details for George Mason University
Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Northern Virginia Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Northern Virginia Community College awarded about 578 general studies degrees 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. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general studies program at Northern Virginia Community College
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. There were roughly 83 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $21,827 in their early career. Lord Fairfax Community College graduates carry a median of $8,865 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from Lord Fairfax Community College
A rank of #4 makes John Tyler Community College one of the top schools for general studies. This large public university is located in the suburb of Chester. There were roughly 95 general studies students who graduated with this degree at John Tyler Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $25,346. John Tyler Community College graduates carry a median of $9,055 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at John Tyler Community College
Tidewater Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Tidewater Community College awarded about 628 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $29,491 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,971 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Tidewater Community College
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #6 position for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. About 84 general studies degrees were awarded at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn around $27,924 in the first couple years of their career. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Bluefield College came in at #7 for general studies this year. Located in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit university. Bluefield College graduates 18% of students within six years. About 11 general studies degrees were awarded at Bluefield College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Bluefield College earn around $49,380 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,780.
More information about a degree in general studies from Bluefield College
Virginia Western Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 92 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Western Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $22,382 in their early career. Virginia Western Community College graduates carry a median of $10,988 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for Virginia Western Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Southwest Virginia Community College awarded about 59 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Southwest Virginia Community College earn around $23,756 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
See the full general studies program report for Southwest Virginia Community College
New River Community College came in at #10 for general studies this year. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 47 general studies degrees were awarded at New River Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $10,600 to complete this degree.
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Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #11 for general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. There were roughly 227 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Piedmont Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $29,027. Piedmont Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $9,325 in student loans.
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Patrick Henry Community College placed #12 among the best general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 48 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Patrick Henry Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $21,360. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Patrick Henry Community College
Eastern Shore Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This small public university is located in the rural area of Melfa. Eastern Shore Community College awarded about 14 general studies degrees in the most recent data year.
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Dabney S Lancaster Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. About 15 general studies degrees were awarded at Dabney S Lancaster Community College in the most recent year.
See the full general studies program report for Dabney S Lancaster Community College
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 · 14 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.
