2027 Best General Studies Schools in Missouri
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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools to find the best for general studies students.
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Best Schools for General Studies in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general studies education in Missouri.
Top Schools in General Studies
Northwest Missouri State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general studies. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Northwest Missouri State University earn around $42,939 in the first couple years of their career. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans.
Get the full general studies details for Northwest Missouri State University
Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Avila University, which ranked #2. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 18 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Avila University in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750.
More information about a degree in general studies from Avila University
A rank of #3 makes Southeast Missouri State University one of the top schools for general studies. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 65 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $35,464. Southeast Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for Southeast Missouri State University
A rank of #4 makes William Woods University one of the top schools for general studies. William Woods University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fulton. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 11 general studies degrees were awarded at William Woods University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from William Woods University generally make around $46,635. William Woods University graduates carry a median of $25,512 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for William Woods University
Crowder College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general studies, ranking #5. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 323 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Crowder College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $26,643. Typical student debt for the program is $7,752.
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Columbia College Missouri ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 358 general studies degrees were awarded at Columbia College Missouri in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Columbia College Missouri earn around $46,366 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,309 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Columbia College Missouri
Southwest Baptist University earned the #7 position for general studies this year. Set in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 general studies degrees were awarded at Southwest Baptist University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Southwest Baptist University earn around $49,135 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,436 to complete this degree.
Get the full general studies details for Southwest Baptist University
East Central College earned the #8 position for general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Union. About 269 general studies degrees were awarded at East Central College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $28,037 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general studies program report for East Central College
Missouri Baptist University came in at #9 for general studies this year. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 24 general studies degrees were awarded at Missouri Baptist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $35,595. Missouri Baptist University graduates carry a median of $29,154 in student loans.
Read more about the general studies program at Missouri Baptist University
North Central Missouri College placed #10 among the best general studies schools. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. About 11 general studies degrees were awarded at North Central Missouri College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $24,483 in their early career. North Central Missouri College graduates carry a median of $9,638 in student loans.
See the full general studies program report for North Central Missouri College
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff awarded about 232 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $28,750 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,957.
More information about a degree in general studies from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Missouri State University West Plains landed the #12 spot for general studies this year. Located in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public university. Missouri State University West Plains awarded about 83 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Missouri State University West Plains earn around $28,365 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full general studies details for Missouri State University West Plains
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #13 position for general studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies awarded about 23 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $33,881 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,560.
Read more about the general studies program at Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies
More General Studies Rankings
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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 · 13 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.
