by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 83 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 39,233 associate degrees in general studies during the 2022-2023 academic year.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of general studies for getting your associate degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for general studies students working on their associate degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in general studies. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Eastern Arizona College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in general studies. Located in the remote town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Eastern Arizona College
Any student who is interested in an associate degree in general studies needs to check out El Centro College. Located in the large city of Dallas, El Centro College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from El Centro College
Tarrant County College District is one of the best schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in general studies. Located in the large city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Tarrant County College District
Oklahoma City Community College is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in general studies. OCCC is a large public college located in the large city of Oklahoma City.More information about a associate in general studies from Oklahoma City Community College
Pima County Community College District is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Tucson.More information about a associate in general studies from Pima Community College
Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Austin Community College District
Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Collin County Community College District
Houston Community College is a very large public college located in the large city of Houston.More information about a associate in general studies from Houston Community College
MCC is a medium-sized public college located in the medium-sized city of Waco.More information about a associate in general studies from McLennan Community College
CNM is a large public college located in the city of Albuquerque.More information about a associate in general studies from Central New Mexico Community College
Located in the rural area of Holbrook, NPC is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Northland Pioneer College
Mesa Community College is a large public college located in the city of Mesa.More information about a associate in general studies from Mesa Community College
Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from South Texas College
Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public college located in the large suburb of Avondale.More information about a associate in general studies from Estrella Mountain Community College
Located in the town of Bartlesville, OKWU or OWU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in general studies from Northwest Vista College
Here are some additional great schools for General Studies students in the Southwest Region that almost earned our Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Phoenix College | Phoenix, AZ |
| 18 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana | Las Cruces, NM |
| 19 | Central Texas College | Killeen, TX |
| 20 | Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ |
| 21 | Brazosport College | Lake Jackson, TX |
| 22 | Cisco College | Cisco, TX |
| 23 | Chandler-Gilbert Community College | Chandler, AZ |
| 24 | Central Arizona College | Coolidge, AZ |
| 25 | Rio Salado College | Tempe, AZ |
| 26 | Odessa College | Odessa, TX |
| 27 | Ranger College | Ranger, TX |
Explore the best general studies schools for a specific state in the Southwest Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 420 | 39,116 |
| Arizona | 349 | 1,807 |
| New Mexico | 255 | 2,002 |
| Oklahoma | 222 | 1,791 |
One of 3 majors within the Liberal Arts General Studies area of study, General Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts | 17,168 |
| Individualized Studies | 116 |
| Humanities | 57 |
