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2027 Best General Master’s Degree Schools

28 Colleges in the United States
1,527 General Degrees Awarded
$56,707 Avg Early-Career Salary

General 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 28 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in general, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in General

1

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 250 general degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. More information about a degree in general from University Of Chicago

2

Carnegie Mellon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 27 general degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from Carnegie Mellon University

3

University Of Maryland College Park is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 general degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the general program make about $57,901 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. Read more about the general program at University Of Maryland College Park

4
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Students looking for a strong general program will find one at Boston College, which ranked #4. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 general degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. General graduates of Boston College earn a median of $66,132 early in their careers. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. Get the full general details for Boston College

5

A rank of #5 makes George Mason University one of the top schools for general. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 12 general degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. See the full general program report for George Mason University

6

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #6 for general this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 general students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $57,000. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813. See the full general program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

7
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 general students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from Drake University earn around $56,228 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273. Read more about the general program at Drake University

8
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University landed the #8 spot for general this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. Tufts University awarded about 24 general degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Get the full general details for Tufts University

9
Western Governors University crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

Western Governors University came in at #9 for general this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 125 general degrees were awarded at Western Governors University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from Western Governors University earn around $74,771 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,277. Get the full general details for Western Governors University

10

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #10 for general this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 191 general degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent year. General graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

11

Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #11 spot for general this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 93 general students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent data year. General graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $54,835 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete this degree. Get the full general details for Concordia University Saint Paul

12

Seattle Pacific University earned the #12 position for general this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 13 general students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. General graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $52,713 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree. See the full general program report for Seattle Pacific University

13

University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #13 position for general this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. About 40 general degrees were awarded at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn around $50,876 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. See the full general program report for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

14
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Eastern University awarded about 87 general degrees in the most recent data year. General graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $50,474 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,584. Get the full general details for Eastern University

15
Oklahoma City University crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Oklahoma City. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 29 general students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma City University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from Oklahoma City University generally make around $58,379. Typical student debt for the program is $27,248. See the full general program report for Oklahoma City University

16

Catholic University Of America earned the #16 position for general this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 16 general degrees were awarded at Catholic University Of America in the most recent year. Graduates of the general program make about $65,120 in their early career. Catholic University Of America graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. See the full general program report for Catholic University Of America

17

University Of La Verne landed the #17 spot for general this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of La Verne awarded about 30 general degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314. Get the full general details for University Of La Verne

18
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University came in at #18 for general this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. Franklin University awarded about 31 general degrees in the most recent data year. General graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $57,471 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $35,890. Get the full general details for Franklin University

19

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 49 general degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $49,955 in their early career. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. More information about a degree in general from The University Of Texas At San Antonio

20

Arizona State University landed the #20 spot for general this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 54 general degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from Arizona State University earn around $55,876 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from Arizona State University

21

Anderson University Sc came in at #21 for general this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Anderson. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 50 general students who graduated with this degree at Anderson University Sc in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from Anderson University Sc earn around $49,036 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,034. See the full general program report for Anderson University Sc

22
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University placed #22 among the best general schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 general degrees were awarded at Ferris State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from Ferris State University earn around $54,608 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete this degree. See the full general program report for Ferris State University

23

Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #23 position for general this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Brookville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Long Island University C W Post Campus awarded about 36 general degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from Long Island University C W Post Campus earn around $61,547 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete this degree. See the full general program report for Long Island University C W Post Campus

24

Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 general students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Plattsburgh in the most recent data year. General graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $38,328 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,217 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general from Suny College At Plattsburgh

25

University Of Houston Downtown came in at #25 for general this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. University Of Houston Downtown graduates 33% of students within six years. University Of Houston Downtown awarded about 51 general degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from University Of Houston Downtown earn around $46,298 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Houston Downtown graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Get the full general details for University Of Houston Downtown

Rest of the Top 28 General Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general education:

26
27
28

Other General Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare General rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General
Bachelor's Degrees in General

View All General Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 28 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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