General degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general schools.
The school you choose for general can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General rankings. For our Best Overall General School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general degrees they offer, see the list below.
Middlebury College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 general degrees were awarded at Middlebury College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from Middlebury College earn around $54,713 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general program at Middlebury College
Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general, ranking #2. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 19 general degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general program make about $55,876 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general program at Arizona State University
Western Kentucky University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general, ranking #3. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Western Kentucky University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 general students who graduated with this degree at Western Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general program make about $44,778 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general program at Western Kentucky University
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 3 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).
