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2025 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee

17 Colleges in Tennessee
8,164 Associate Degrees
$26,052 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #1 in popularity, liberal arts general studies is one of the most sought-after associate 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.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 17 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 8,164 associate degrees in liberal arts general studies to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts General Studies School for Your Associate Degree

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee The liberal arts associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality liberal arts program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Early-Career Salaries

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their associate degree from the school. After all, your associate degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Liberal Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Tennessee list to help you make the college decision.

Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Liberal Arts General Studies in Tennessee

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts general studies.

10 Top Tennessee Schools for an Associate in Liberal Arts

1
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, TN
19 Annual Graduates

Union University is a wonderful option for individuals pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Union is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Jackson.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Union University

2

It's hard to beat Cumberland University if you want to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Lebanon, CU is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Associate students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program make about $22,849 for their early career.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Cumberland University

3

It is hard to beat Chattanooga State Community College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts general studies. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the medium-sized city of Chattanooga.

Students who graduate with their associate from the liberal arts program report average early career income of $25,797.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Chattanooga State Community College

4
1,108 Annual Graduates
$30,708 Median Starting Salary
$15,176 Median Student Debt

Any student who is interested in an associate degree in liberal arts general studies needs to take a look at Austin Peay State University. Austin Peay State University is a medium-sized public university located in the medium-sized city of Clarksville.

Liberal Arts General Studies associate degree recipients from Austin Peay State University earn a boost of about $4,656 above the average earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Austin Peay State University

5

Southwest is a medium-sized public college located in the large city of Memphis.

Associate recipients from the liberal arts general studies major at Southwest Tennessee Community College make $2,928 above the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Southwest Tennessee Community College

6

Located in the city of Jackson, JSCC is a public college with a small student population.

After graduating, liberal arts associate recipients typically make around $27,378 in their early careers.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Jackson State Community College

7
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
22 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Lee University

8

Located in the large suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

After graduating, liberal arts associate recipients usually make an average of $26,757 in their early careers.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Pellissippi State Community College

9

VSCC is a moderately-sized public college located in the large suburb of Gallatin.

Students who graduate with their associate from the liberal arts program state that they receive average early career wages of $26,355.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Volunteer State Community College

10

Located in the large city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Associate recipients from the liberal arts general studies degree program at Nashville State Community College get $3,228 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a associate in liberal arts general studies from Nashville State Community College

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Mississippi 143 5,107
Georgia 121 7,085
Florida 121 63,334
North Carolina 120 17,285
Arkansas 105 4,615
Virginia 97 6,800
West Virginia 92 2,520
Kentucky 90 5,565
Louisiana 80 1,766
South Carolina 77 3,767
Alabama 69 5,517

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One of 0 majors within the Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities area of study, Liberal Arts General Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.

Liberal Arts Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts 6,731
General Studies 1,276
Individualized Studies 157

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