2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2019-2020, 133,583 general studies students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country.
At the associate degree level specifically, there were 101,847 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,082 and $17,678 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 427 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general studies program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies (With Aid)
Out of the 427 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Houston Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school handed out 2,851 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.
Houston Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Houston Community College is $5,272 for associate degree general studies students with aid.
Read full report on General Studies at Houston Community College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tarrant County College District. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Tarrant County College is a large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 4,575 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
Tarrant County College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Tarrant County College District is $5,434 for associate degree general studies students with aid.
Read more about General Studies at Tarrant County College District
Out of the 427 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, El Centro College landed the #3 spot on the list. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 5,589 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at El Centro College, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for El Centro College is $4,373 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.
Out of the 427 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, South Texas College landed the #4 spot on the list. McAllen, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 1,257 students in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, South Texas College also did well on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $1,174 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid per year to attend South Texas College.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Austin Community College District. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Austin Community College District is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,547 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our associate degree general studies students with aid list, Austin Community College District has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $6,861 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid per year to attend Austin Community College District.
Read more about General Studies at Austin Community College District
Suffolk County Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Selden, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 1,398 students in 2019-2020.
Suffolk County Community College also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Suffolk County Community College is $5,533 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.
Read full report on General Studies at Suffolk County Community College
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. MVCC is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 296 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
MVCC excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for MVCC is $2,422 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.
College of Lake County ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Grayslake, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at College of Lake County, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,735 for associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend College of Lake County.
Read full report on General Studies at College of Lake County
Collin County Community College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Collin County Community College District is located in McKinney, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,123 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.
Collin County Community College District not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Collin County Community College District is $6,293 for associate degree general studies students with aid.
Read more about General Studies at Collin County Community College District
American Public University System did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. American Military University is a large school located in Charles Town, West Virginia that handed out 1,323 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
American Military University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for American Military University is $10,222 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.
Full American Public University System General Studies Report
Oakland Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 750 students in 2019-2020.
Oakland Community College also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category. It costs about $2,825 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid per year to attend Oakland Community College.
Read more about General Studies at Oakland Community College
Cleveland Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Cleveland Community College is a small school located in Shelby, North Carolina that handed out 3 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Cleveland Community College is $4,682 for associate degree general studies students with aid.
Read full report on General Studies at Cleveland Community College
Northern Virginia Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school situated in Annandale, Virginia. It awarded 1,374 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northern Virginia Community College, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Virginia Community College is $10,005 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.
Read full report on General Studies at Northern Virginia Community College
Pima Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 156 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
Pima County Community College District excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $3,583 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid per year to attend Pima County Community College District.
Read full report on General Studies at Pima County Community College District
City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 108 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.
Harold Washington College also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Harold Washington College is $2,992 for associate degree general studies students with aid.
Read full report on General Studies at Harold Washington College
City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 175 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on this list, Wilbur Wright College is in the top on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $2,876 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.
Read full report on General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College
San Antonio College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 1,926 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
San Antonio College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Antonio College is $5,882 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.
Salt Lake Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Salt Lake Community College is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 1,432 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our associate degree general studies students with aid list, Salt Lake Community College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $6,963 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid per year to attend Salt Lake Community College.
Read more about General Studies at Salt Lake Community College
Northwest Vista College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Northwest Vista College is a fairly large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 2,339 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
Northwest Vista College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $5,413 for associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend Northwest Vista College.
With a ranking of #20, Central New Mexico Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. CNM is a large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 1,312 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.
CNM also claimed a top spot on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for CNM is $3,429 for associate degree general studies students with aid.
Full Central New Mexico Community College General Studies Report
With a ranking of #21, Brazosport College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Lake Jackson, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 306 students in 2019-2020.
BC also took the #21 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,404 for associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend Brazosport College.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Lincoln Land Community College is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 96 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.
On top of its placing in this ranking, LLCC also did well on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $6,168 for associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend LLCC.
Delta College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Delta College is located in University Center, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 688 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.
Delta College excels when it comes to general studies quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Delta College is $3,629 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Sugar Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 73 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Waubonsee is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $5,130 for associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend Waubonsee.
With a ranking of #25, Central Texas College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid list. Killeen, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 494 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Central Texas College is also in the top of our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Central Texas College is $5,112 for Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.
Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate For Those Getting Aid
While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Rank | College | Location |
---|---|---|
51 | Chemeketa Community College | Salem, OR |
52 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI |
53 | Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS |
54 | Oakton Community College | Des Plaines, IL |
55 | Palo Alto College | San Antonio, TX |
56 | Aims Community College | Greeley, CO |
56 | Chesapeake College | Wye Mills, MD |
58 | Henry Ford College | Dearborn, MI |
59 | South Suburban College | South Holland, IL |
60 | Temple College | Temple, TX |
61 | Clackamas Community College | Oregon City, OR |
62 | Central Arizona College | Coolidge, AZ |
62 | Laredo College | Laredo, TX |
64 | Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ |
65 | Lenoir Community College | Kinston, NC |
Rank | College | Location |
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies in the Southeast Region (With Aid)
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General Studies students with family income $75-$110k
Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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