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2025 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools

879 Colleges in the United States
383,873 Associate Degrees
$27,549 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #1 in popularity, liberal arts general studies is one of the most sought-after associate degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual reviewed 879 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for associate degree seekers in the field of liberal arts general studies. Combined, these schools handed out 383,873 associate degrees in liberal arts general studies to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts General Studies School for Your Associate Degree

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools Your choice of liberal arts general studies for getting your associate degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Early-Career Salaries

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their associate degree from the school. After all, your associate degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Liberal Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Liberal Arts General Studies in the United States

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for an Associate in Liberal Arts

1
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
19 Annual Graduates

It's difficult to beat New York University if you want to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from New York University

2
1,392 Annual Graduates
$32,144 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat Northern Virginia Community College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public college located in the suburb of Annandale.

Associate recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at Northern Virginia Community College make $4,595 above the typical college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Northern Virginia Community College

3
162 Annual Graduates

University of South Florida - Main Campus is a wonderful choice for individuals pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the large city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from University of South Florida - Main Campus

4
1,035 Annual Graduates
$43,806 Median Starting Salary

Southern New Hampshire University is a great choice for students interested in an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. SNHU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize suburb of Manchester.

Liberal Arts General Studies associate degree recipients from Southern New Hampshire University earn a boost of approximately $16,257 over the average earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Southern New Hampshire University

5
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
7,147 Annual Graduates
$25,001 Median Starting Salary
$8,565 Median Student Debt

Valencia College is a very large public college located in the large city of Orlando.

Associate students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program earn about $25,001 for their early career.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Valencia College

6
441 Annual Graduates
$7,808 Median Starting Salary
$38,430 Median Student Debt

Oxford College is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Oxford.

Soon after graduation, liberal arts associate recipients generally make about $7,808 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Oxford College of Emory University

7
2,082 Annual Graduates

Irvine Valley College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Irvine.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Irvine Valley College

8
Chesapeake College crest
Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD
94 Annual Graduates

Chesapeake College is a small public college located in the rural area of Wye Mills.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Chesapeake College

9

USU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Logan.

Students who graduate with their associate from the liberal arts program report average early career earnings of $28,782.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Utah State University

10
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a public university with a large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their associate degree from Vincennes University earn $11,047 more than the average liberal arts student.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Vincennes University

11
1,401 Annual Graduates
$26,874 Median Starting Salary

Suffolk County Community College is a very large public college located in the suburb of Selden.

Soon after graduation, liberal arts associate recipients generally earn around $26,874 in their early careers.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Suffolk County Community College

12

Located in the city of Bismarck, BSC is a public college with a small student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their associate degree from Bismarck State College receive $5,809 more than the typical liberal arts student.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Bismarck State College

13

SUNY Westchester Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the large suburb of Valhalla.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their associate degree from SUNY Westchester Community College earn $2,868 more than the standard liberal arts grad.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from SUNY Westchester Community College

14
1,498 Annual Graduates
$34,165 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Ogden, WSU is a public university with a very large student population.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their associate degree from Weber State University receive $6,616 more than the typical liberal arts graduate.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Weber State University

15

Located in the midsize city of Modesto, MJC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After graduation, liberal arts associate recipients typically make about $28,387 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Modesto Junior College

16
1,927 Annual Graduates
$27,926 Median Starting Salary

Seminole State is a fairly large public college located in the small city of Sanford.

Associate graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts program earn around $27,926 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Seminole State College of Florida

17
3,096 Annual Graduates
$28,089 Median Starting Salary

UVU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Orem.

After graduation, liberal arts associate recipients generally make around $28,089 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Utah Valley University

18
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD
1,127 Annual Graduates
$20,217 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a public college with a large student population.

Associate students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program earn about $20,217 in their early career salary.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Montgomery College

19

LLCC is a moderately-sized public college located in the rural area of Springfield.

Associate recipients from the liberal arts general studies major at Lincoln Land Community College make $6,615 more than the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Lincoln Land Community College

20
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT
1,064 Annual Graduates
$35,804 Median Starting Salary

Salt Lake Community College is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Salt Lake City.

Those liberal arts general studies students who get their associate degree from Salt Lake Community College make $8,255 more than the average liberal arts student.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Salt Lake Community College

21

Located in the remote town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

After graduation, liberal arts associate recipients usually earn about $26,145 in their early careers.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Eastern Arizona College

22
3,463 Annual Graduates
$29,805 Median Starting Salary

Palm Beach State College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Lake Worth.

Liberal Arts General Studies associate degree recipients from Palm Beach State College receive an earnings boost of about $2,256 above the average income of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Palm Beach State College

23
3,128 Annual Graduates
$30,406 Median Starting Salary
$8,000 Median Student Debt

HCC is a fairly large public college located in the city of Tampa.

Liberal Arts General Studies associate degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College receive an earnings boost of about $2,857 over the typical earnings of liberal arts general studies majors.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Hillsborough Community College

24
2,140 Annual Graduates
$30,678 Median Starting Salary

FSCJ is a fairly large public college located in the city of Jacksonville.

Liberal Arts General Studies associate degree recipients from Florida State College at Jacksonville get an earnings boost of around $3,129 over the typical earnings of liberal arts general studies majors.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Florida State College at Jacksonville

25
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
5,266 Annual Graduates
$33,060 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Liberal Arts General Studies associate degree recipients from El Centro College receive an earnings boost of around $5,511 over the average income of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from El Centro College

Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools

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Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

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Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

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BC crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Additional Award Winners

This list shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 20% of the 879 different United States liberal arts general studies schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Collin County Community College District McKinney, TX
52 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY
53 Nassau Community College Garden City, NY
54 Southside Virginia Community College Alberta, VA
55 University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WI
56 Columbia College Columbia, MO
57 Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers, FL
58 Miami Dade College Miami, FL
59 University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD
60 Normandale Community College Bloomington, MN
61 Houston Community College Houston, TX
62 Santiago Canyon College Orange, CA
63 Golden West College Huntington Beach, CA
64 Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, IL
65 St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL
66 Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH
67 William Rainey Harper College Palatine, IL
68 Santa Fe College Gainesville, FL
69 University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI
70 Surry Community College Dobson, NC
71 Macomb Community College Warren, MI
72 Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC
73 Georgia State University-Perimeter College Atlanta, GA
74 Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA
75 Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MI
76 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL
77 College of Lake County Grayslake, IL
78 Aims Community College Greeley, CO
79 Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CA
80 Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, IN
81 St Cloud Technical and Community College Saint Cloud, MN
82 McLennan Community College Waco, TX
83 Century College White Bear Lake, MN
84 Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TX
85 Community College of Denver Denver, CO
86 Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NM
87 Capital Community College Hartford, CT
88 Bishop State Community College Mobile, AL
89 Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC
90 Mt. San Jacinto College San Jacinto, CA
91 Eastern Florida State College Melbourne, FL
92 Community College of Aurora Aurora, CO
93 Gaston College Dallas, NC
94 Metropolitan Community College Omaha, NE
95 Hagerstown Community College Hagerstown, MD
96 Kent State University at Stark North Canton, OH
97 Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI
98 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
99 Rockingham Community College Wentworth, NC
100 Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MI
101 Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, CO
102 Delta College University Center, MI
103 Randolph Community College Asheboro, NC
104 Elgin Community College Elgin, IL
105 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
106 Frederick Community College Frederick, MD
107 Corning Community College Corning, NY
108 Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NC
109 Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie, NY
110 Cerritos College Norwalk, CA
111 Union University Jackson, TN
112 Indiana Wesleyan University Marion, IN
113 Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa, AL
114 The University of Montana Missoula, MT
115 Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights, MN
116 Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NY
117 Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas De Queen, AR
118 Howard Community College Columbia, MD
119 Genesee Community College Batavia, NY
120 South Suburban College South Holland, IL
121 Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN
122 Florida International University Miami, FL
123 Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Kansas City, MO
124 Tompkins Cortland Community College Dryden, NY
125 College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV
126 Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RI
127 Hesston College Hesston, KS
128 Ocean County College Toms River, NJ
129 Greenville Technical College Greenville, SC
130 Baltimore City Community College Baltimore, MD
131 Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville, NC
132 St Charles Community College Cottleville, MO
133 Southeastern University Lakeland, FL
134 Wayne County Community College District Detroit, MI
135 Cumberland University Lebanon, TN
136 Riverside City College Riverside, CA
137 College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL
138 Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NY
139 NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville, AR
140 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
141 Lenoir Community College Kinston, NC
142 Wallace Community College, Dothan Dothan, AL
143 Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, CO
144 Northland Pioneer College Holbrook, AZ
145 Rowan College at Burlington County Mount Laurel, NJ
146 Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA
147 North Shore Community College Danvers, MA
148 Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga, TN
149 Lake Superior College Duluth, MN
150 Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PA
151 Bristol Community College Fall River, MA
152 Kent State University at Geauga Burton, OH
153 Patrick Henry Community College Martinsville, VA
154 Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls, MN
155 Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ
156 Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA
157 West Valley College Saratoga, CA
158 Ridgewater College Willmar, MN
159 North Idaho College Coeur d’Alene, ID
160 Catawba Valley Community College Hickory, NC
161 San Joaquin Delta College Stockton, CA
162 Montana State University Bozeman, MT
163 Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia, AL
164 Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN
165 Arapahoe Community College Littleton, CO
166 Northland Community and Technical College Thief River Falls, MN
167 Hinds Community College Raymond, MS
168 Rock Valley College Rockford, IL
169 Southeastern Community College West Burlington, IA
170 Bellevue College Bellevue, WA
171 Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH
172 South Texas College McAllen, TX
173 Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale, AZ
174 Imperial Valley College Imperial, CA
175 Brunswick Community College Bolivia, NC

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Liberal Arts General Studies students that almost earned our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
176 Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Martinsburg, WV
177 Florida College Temple Terrace, FL
178 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
179 Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN
180 John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, AL
181 Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH
182 Dakota College at Bottineau Bottineau, ND
183 Delgado Community College New Orleans, LA
184 Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown, IA
185 Ohio State University - Newark Campus Newark, OH
186 Pikes Peak Community College Colorado Springs, CO
187 Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills, CA
188 Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL
189 Erie Community College Buffalo, NY
190 College of Central Florida Ocala, FL
191 Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA
192 Hutchinson Community College Hutchinson, KS
193 Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN
194 Mott Community College Flint, MI
195 Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NY
196 Georgia Highlands College Rome, GA
197 Pasco-Hernando State College New Port Richey, FL
198 Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJ
199 Illinois Central College East Peoria, IL
200 Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX
201 City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Chicago, IL
202 Bevill State Community College Jasper, AL
203 Jamestown Community College Jamestown, NY
204 Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN
205 Marion Military Institute Marion, AL
206 College of Southern Maryland La Plata, MD
207 Southwest Tennessee Community College Memphis, TN
208 Oklahoma Wesleyan University Bartlesville, OK
209 North Iowa Area Community College Mason City, IA
210 Mohawk Valley Community College Utica, NY
211 Middlesex Community College Bedford, MA
212 Northeastern Junior College Sterling, CO
213 Charter Oak State College New Britain, CT
214 Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, AL
215 Cleveland Community College Shelby, NC
216 Kent State University at Trumbull Warren, OH
217 Middlesex County College Edison, NJ
218 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
219 North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park, MN
220 Nashua Community College Nashua, NH
221 Chemeketa Community College Salem, OR
222 Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette, AL
223 Northwest Vista College San Antonio, TX
224 Jackson State Community College Jackson, TN
225 Ball State University Muncie, IN
226 Lord Fairfax Community College Middletown, VA
227 University of Hartford West Hartford, CT
228 The University of West Florida Pensacola, FL
229 Adirondack Community College Queensbury, NY
230 Ventura College Ventura, CA
231 Wallace Community College, Selma Selma, AL
232 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY
233 Lee University Cleveland, TN
234 Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA
235 Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI
236 Richmond Community College Hamlet, NC
237 Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT
238 Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VA
239 Kalamazoo Valley Community College Kalamazoo, MI
240 Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ
241 Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL
242 Onondaga Community College Syracuse, NY
243 Eastern University Saint Davids, PA
244 Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus Birmingham, AL
245 New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NM
246 University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, AR
247 Florida Gateway College Lake City, FL
248 Southwest Virginia Community College Cedar Bluff, VA
249 St. Francis College Brooklyn, NY
250 Shasta College Redding, CA
251 Rockland Community College Suffern, NY
252 Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA
253 Central Texas College Killeen, TX
254 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
255 Sandhills Community College Pinehurst, NC
256 Kent State University at Tuscarawas New Philadelphia, OH
257 Jefferson Community College Watertown, NY
258 Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CA
259 Southwestern Community College Creston, IA
260 Kankakee Community College Kankakee, IL
261 College of the Desert Palm Desert, CA
262 Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MN
263 Oklahoma Christian University Edmond, OK
264 Nash Community College Rocky Mount, NC
265 Winona State University Winona, MN
266 Rend Lake College Ina, IL
267 Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TN
268 Orange County Community College Middletown, NY
269 Lorain County Community College Elyria, OH
270 Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA
271 Butler Community College El Dorado, KS
272 Kent State University at Ashtabula Ashtabula, OH
273 Glendale Community College Glendale, AZ
274 Morrisville State College Morrisville, NY
275 Brazosport College Lake Jackson, TX
276 Essex County College Newark, NJ
277 Contra Costa College San Pablo, CA
278 Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
279 South Piedmont Community College Polkton, NC
280 Merced College Merced, CA
281 Cisco College Cisco, TX
282 Mt. Hood Community College Gresham, OR
283 Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CA
284 Delaware County Community College Media, PA
285 Midlands Technical College West Columbia, SC
286 Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NC
287 Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, IL
288 Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZ
289 Spartanburg Methodist College Spartanburg, SC
290 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
291 Durham Technical Community College Durham, NC
292 Highline College Des Moines, WA
293 State Fair Community College Sedalia, MO

Liberal Arts General Studies by Region

View the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Liberal Arts General Studies is one of 0 different types of Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities programs to choose from.

Liberal Arts Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts 249,597
General Studies 96,505
Humanities 19,357
Individualized Studies 18,414

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