General programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general schools.
The general program you select can have a big impact on your future. 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.
We offer several rankings, including this Best General Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Lafayette College tops our 2027 ranking of the best general schools. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 general students who graduated with this degree at Lafayette College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general degree from Lafayette College earn around $59,513 in the first couple years of their career. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $16,931 in student loans.
See the full general program report for Lafayette College
Boston University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 58 general degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general program make about $63,598 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
Get the full general details for Boston University
Barnard College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. About 20 general degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from Barnard College earn around $50,790 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general from Barnard College
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 21 general degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the general program make about $64,891 in their early career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general from Texas A And M University College Station
Colorado College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best general schools. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 general degrees were awarded at Colorado College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general degree from Colorado College earn around $37,342 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general from Colorado College
This list is compiled 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 · 5 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).
