by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, general studies was the 5th most popular major nationwide with 129,869 degrees awarded. This represents a 2.9% reduction in general studies degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 133,583.
This year's Best General Studies Schools ranking compares 451 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general studies programs later in this article.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional general studies certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
General Studies degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in general studies to something that takes less time like a . The time it takes to complete a general studies degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
Want a job when you graduate with your general studies degree? General Studies careers are expected to grow 9.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Professors | 258,700 | 9.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for general studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for general studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers general studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Professors | $76,990 |
With over 1,317 different general studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased general studies school rankings to help you with this.
General Studies is one of 3 different types of Liberal Arts General Studies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts | 366,996 |
| Individualized Studies | 37,634 |
| Humanities | 22,314 |
