College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best General Studies Schools

472 Colleges in the United States
125,813 General Studies Degrees Awarded
Ranked #5 in popularity, general studies is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 472 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best General Studies Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 125,813 degrees in general studies to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great General Studies School

Best General Studies Schools Your choice of general studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for general studies schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each 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.

General Studies Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in General Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in General Studies
Master's Degrees in General Studies

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best General Studies Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. 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've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for General Studies in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in General Studies

1
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
12th Most Popular In IL
67 General Studies Degrees Awarded

DePaul University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in general studies. DePaul is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #135 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means DePaul is a great university overall.

There were approximately 67 general studies students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from DePaul University

2
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In PA
33.3% Growth in Graduates

Villanova University is a good option for students interested in a degree in general studies. Villanova is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Villanova. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Villanova is a great university overall.

There were approximately 12 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Villanova in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from Villanova University

Sponsored
Associates Degree Type
AA in Liberal Arts Program Name

Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in AA in Liberal Arts from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In VA
64 General Studies Degrees Awarded

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general studies. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #92 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 64 general studies students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from George Mason University

4
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In VA
1,149 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Any student who is interested in general studies has to take a look at Northern Virginia Community College. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public college located in the suburb of Annandale. A Best Colleges rank of #205 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Northern Virginia Community College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 1149 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from Northern Virginia Community College

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NH
1,692 General Studies Degrees Awarded

SNHU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized suburb of Manchester. A Best Colleges rank of #170 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SNHU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 1692 general studies students who graduated with this degree at SNHU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from Southern New Hampshire University

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In CT
105 General Studies Degrees Awarded

UCONN is a very large public university located in the fringe town of Storrs. A Best Colleges rank of #57 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UCONN is a great university overall.

There were roughly 105 general studies students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from University of Connecticut

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NJ
230 General Studies Degrees Awarded

FDU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Teaneck. This university ranks 16th out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were approximately 230 general studies students who graduated with this degree at FDU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA in General Studies Program Name

Maximize your transfer credits and complete your bachelor's degree faster with this flexible online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA in General Studies from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
61st Most Popular In TX

Located in the large city of Houston, UST is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 37th out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 28 general studies students who graduated with this degree at UST in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general studies from University of St. Thomas

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
18th Most Popular In MI
50 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were about 50 general studies students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general studies from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NY
1,178 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Suffolk County Community College is a fairly large public college located in the suburb of Selden. This college ranks 33rd out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 1178 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general studies from Suffolk County Community College

11
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In UT
870 General Studies Degrees Awarded

USU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Logan. This university ranks 6th out of 11 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were approximately 870 general studies students who graduated with this degree at USU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from Utah State University

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TN
139 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 18th out of 41 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were approximately 139 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general studies from Middle Tennessee State University

13
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In UT
1,549 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Ogden, WSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 11 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were about 1549 general studies students who graduated with this degree at WSU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general studies from Weber State University

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
19th Most Popular In TX
459 General Studies Degrees Awarded

UNT is a very large public university located in the city of Denton. This university ranks 13th out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 459 general studies students who graduated with this degree at UNT in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from University of North Texas

15
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In FL
10.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Coral Gables, U Miami is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #175 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means U Miami is a great university overall.

There were roughly 29 general studies students who graduated with this degree at U Miami in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general studies from University of Miami

16
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In OK
213 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Edmond, UCO is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 31 schools for overall quality in the state of Oklahoma.

There were approximately 213 general studies students who graduated with this degree at UCO in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general studies from University of Central Oklahoma

17
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
20th Most Popular In IL
61 General Studies Degrees Awarded

LLCC is a moderately-sized public college located in the rural area of Springfield. This college ranks 15th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were roughly 61 general studies students who graduated with this degree at LLCC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from Lincoln Land Community College

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
40th Most Popular In TX
220 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #161 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Texas Tech is a great university overall.

There were about 220 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from Texas Tech University

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In UT
4,142 General Studies Degrees Awarded

UVU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Orem. This university ranks 7th out of 11 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were roughly 4142 general studies students who graduated with this degree at UVU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from Utah Valley University

20
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In UT
1,060 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Salt Lake Community College is a very large public college located in the large suburb of Salt Lake City. This college ranks 5th out of 11 schools for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were approximately 1060 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general studies from Salt Lake Community College

21
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In AZ
215 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the remote town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #201 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Eastern Arizona College is a great college overall.

There were about 215 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Arizona College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general studies from Eastern Arizona College

22
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In WV
138 General Studies Degrees Awarded

WVU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Morgantown. This university ranks 2nd out of 25 schools for overall quality in the state of West Virginia.

There were about 138 general studies students who graduated with this degree at WVU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from West Virginia University

23
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In TX
5,266 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Dallas, El Centro College is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #281 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means El Centro College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 5266 general studies students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from El Centro College

24
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
23rd Most Popular In PA
85.7% Growth in Graduates

Carnegie Mellon is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.

There were about 7 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general studies from Carnegie Mellon University

25
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, MO
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MO
567 General Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. This college ranks 12th out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.

There were roughly 567 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Missouri in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general studies from Columbia College

Rest of the Top 50 Best General Studies Schools

26
27
28
29
30
31
32

33

34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41

42

43
44
45
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
46
47
48
49
50

Additional Award Winners

This list shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best General Studies Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 20% of the 472 different United States general studies schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MI
52 Illinois State University Normal, IL
53 College of Lake County Grayslake, IL
54 Harding University Searcy, AR
55 Aims Community College Greeley, CO
56 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
57 McLennan Community College Waco, TX
58 Community College of Denver Denver, CO
59 Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NM
60 Capital Community College Hartford, CT
61 Bishop State Community College Mobile, AL
62 Community College of Aurora Aurora, CO
63 University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT
64 Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MI
65 Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, CO
66 University of Mississippi University, MS
67 Delta College University Center, MI
68 Corning Community College Corning, NY
69 Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Portales, NM
70 Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie, NY
71 Southeastern University Lakeland, FL
72 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
73 Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa, AL
74 The University of Montana Missoula, MT
75 Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas De Queen, AR
76 Howard Community College Columbia, MD
77 Genesee Community College Batavia, NY
78 South Suburban College South Holland, IL
79 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
80 Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI
81 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH
82 Tompkins Cortland Community College Dryden, NY
83 College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV
84 Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RI
85 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
86 Ocean County College Toms River, NJ
87 Texas Woman’s University Denton, TX
88 Baltimore City Community College Baltimore, MD
89 College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL
90 Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NY
91 NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville, AR
92 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
93 Wallace Community College, Dothan Dothan, AL
94 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for General Studies students that almost earned our Best General Studies Schools award.

Rank College Location
95 Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, CO
96 Northland Pioneer College Holbrook, AZ
97 Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA
98 McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA
99 Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PA
100 Bristol Community College Fall River, MA
101 Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ
102 SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NY
103 North Idaho College Coeur d’Alene, ID
104 Catawba Valley Community College Hickory, NC
105 Montana State University Bozeman, MT
106 Cumberland University Lebanon, TN
107 Lurleen B Wallace Community College Andalusia, AL
108 Arapahoe Community College Littleton, CO
109 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
110 Hinds Community College Raymond, MS
111 South Texas College McAllen, TX
112 Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale, AZ
113 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
114 Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Martinsburg, WV
115 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA
116 John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, AL
117 Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH
118 Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN
119 Delgado Community College New Orleans, LA
120 Ohio State University - Newark Campus Newark, OH
121 Pikes Peak Community College Colorado Springs, CO
122 Erie Community College Buffalo, NY
123 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
124 Mott Community College Flint, MI
125 Niagara County Community College Sanborn, NY
126 Illinois Central College East Peoria, IL
127 City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Chicago, IL
128 Bevill State Community College Jasper, AL
129 Texas A&M University - Commerce Commerce, TX
130 Jamestown Community College Jamestown, NY
131 Marion Military Institute Marion, AL
132 West Virginia University at Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV
133 Oklahoma Wesleyan University Bartlesville, OK
134 Mohawk Valley Community College Utica, NY
135 Middlesex Community College Bedford, MA
136 Northeastern Junior College Sterling, CO
137 Murray State University Murray, KY
138 Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, AL
139 Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DE
140 Nashua Community College Nashua, NH
141 Chemeketa Community College Salem, OR
142 Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette, AL
143 Northwest Vista College San Antonio, TX
144 Adirondack Community College Queensbury, NY
145 Buffalo State Buffalo, NY
146 Wallace Community College, Selma Selma, AL
147 Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI
148 Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VA
149 Kalamazoo Valley Community College Kalamazoo, MI
150 Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ
151 Onondaga Community College Syracuse, NY
152 Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO
153 Lawson State Community College - Birmingham Campus Birmingham, AL
154 New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NM
155 University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, AR
156 Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PA
157 Central Texas College Killeen, TX

General Studies by Region

View the Best General Studies Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

General Studies is one of 3 different types of Liberal Arts General Studies programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts 354,866
Individualized Studies 36,716
Humanities 21,530

View All General Studies Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options