2027 Best General Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
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.
College Factual analyzed 120 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general studies schools.
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Best Schools for General Studies in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general studies education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in General Studies
Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for general studies. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 general studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $69,994 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $19,052 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of North Texas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Texas awarded about 374 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $36,588 early in their careers. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $22,254 in student loans.
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University Of St Thomas Texas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 19 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $50,420. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Texas State University San Marcos came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 216 general studies degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $38,829 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,599.
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Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Collin County Community College District, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the suburb of McKinney. Collin County Community College District awarded about 945 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $32,114. Typical student debt for the program is $9,250.
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Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #6 among the best general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of San Antonio. Texas A And M University San Antonio graduates 40% of students within six years. About 51 general studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University San Antonio in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $45,681. Texas A And M University San Antonio graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans.
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Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Stillwater. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. About 266 general studies degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,938 early in their careers. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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El Centro College came in at #8 for general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Dallas. There were roughly 5,908 general studies students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $33,060 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
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Texas Christian University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Texas Christian University awarded about 47 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $42,008. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Texas Christian University
Austin Community College District placed #10 among the best general studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. There were roughly 2,074 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $38,436 early in their careers. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
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Texas Tech University earned the #11 position for general studies this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Tech University awarded about 258 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $40,600 early in their careers. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $28,713 in student loans.
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Alvin Community College landed the #12 spot for general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Alvin Community College awarded about 407 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Alvin Community College earn around $35,306 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,081.
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West Texas A And M University placed #13 among the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of Canyon. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. West Texas A And M University awarded about 137 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $40,793 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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Tarrant County College District ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Tarrant County College District awarded about 4,598 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $30,179 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,944 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for Tarrant County College District
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #15 spot for general studies this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 281 general studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $40,185 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete this degree.
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Central Texas College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Central Texas College awarded about 775 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $39,731. Central Texas College graduates carry a median of $8,400 in student loans.
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San Jacinto Community College landed the #17 spot for general studies this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 1,330 general studies students who graduated with this degree at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $27,792 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,000.
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The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #18 among the best general studies schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 250 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $34,397. Typical student debt for the program is $24,419.
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Texas Womans University landed the #19 spot for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Denton. Texas Womans University graduates 49% of students within six years. Texas Womans University awarded about 186 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $41,803. Students borrow a median of $32,625 to complete this degree.
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Odessa College landed the #20 spot for general studies this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. About 628 general studies degrees were awarded at Odessa College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $28,193 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500.
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Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #21 spot for general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 37 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $27,548 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete this degree.
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Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #22 spot for general studies this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 10 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $33,709. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree.
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Mesa Community College landed the #23 spot for general studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. There were roughly 50 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $46,084. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans.
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Pima Community College came in at #24 for general studies this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 33 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Pima Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Pima Community College earn around $31,002 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete this degree.
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Midland College placed #25 among the best general studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Midland. There were roughly 305 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Midland College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Midland College earn a median of $24,147 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general studies education:
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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 · 120 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.
