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2025 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina

61 Colleges in North Carolina
17,641 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,562 Avg Early-Career Salary
Liberal Arts General Studies is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #1 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools in North Carolina to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts general studies students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 17,641 degrees in liberal arts general studies to qualified students.

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

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts General Studies School

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina Your choice of liberal arts general studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Liberal Arts General Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that 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.

Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Liberal Arts
Master's Degrees in Liberal Arts

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina list, to help you choose the best school for you. 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 Liberal Arts General Studies in North Carolina

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the liberal arts degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

12 Top North Carolina Schools in Liberal Arts

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
52 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
1.9% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in liberal arts general studies needs to look into North Carolina State University. Located in the large city of Raleigh, NC State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #122 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means NC State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 52 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at NC State in the most recent data year. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from North Carolina State University earn $10,585 more than the standard liberal arts grad.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from North Carolina State University

2
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
280 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
1.8% Growth in Graduates

Mitchell Community College is a wonderful option for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the fringe town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a public college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #325 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Mitchell Community College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 280 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Mitchell Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, liberal arts degree recipients generally earn about $27,667 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Mitchell Community College

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
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
306 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$26,855 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in liberal arts general studies has to look into Alamance Community College. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Graham, ACC is a public college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #326 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means ACC is a great college overall.

There were roughly 306 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at ACC in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts program make an average of $26,855 for their early career.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Alamance Community College

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
45 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$37,709 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies has to check out University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #38 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were roughly 45 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill receive $6,147 more than the average liberal arts student.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

5
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
236 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
21.6% Growth in Graduates

Surry Community College is a small public college located in the rural area of Dobson. A Best Colleges rank of #434 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Surry Community College is a great college overall.

There were about 236 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Surry Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, liberal arts degree recipients typically earn about $24,635 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Surry Community College

6
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1,429 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$30,373 Median Starting Salary

Wake Technical Community College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Raleigh. A Best Colleges rank of #461 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Wake Technical Community College is a great college overall.

There were about 1429 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program make around $30,373 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Wake Technical Community College

7
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1,485 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$24,056 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a public college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #572 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Central Piedmont Community College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 1485 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, liberal arts degree recipients typically make about $24,056 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Central Piedmont Community College

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
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
384 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
1.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a public college with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #491 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Gaston College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 384 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Gaston College in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, liberal arts degree recipients typically make around $26,838 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Gaston College

9
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
131 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$30,865 Median Starting Salary

Located in the rural area of Wentworth, RCC is a public college with a small student population. This college ranks 22nd out of 93 schools for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were about 131 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at RCC in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, liberal arts degree recipients typically make an average of $30,865 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Rockingham Community College

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
233 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
0.4% Growth in Graduates

Randolph Community College is a small public college located in the distant town of Asheboro. A Best Colleges rank of #530 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Randolph Community College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 233 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Randolph Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies degree recipients from Randolph Community College earn a boost of approximately $8,583 over the average earnings of liberal arts general studies majors.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Randolph Community College

11
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
664 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$28,349 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 24th out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were roughly 664 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Guilford Technical Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts program make around $28,349 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Guilford Technical Community College

12
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
189 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,809 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Greenville, ECU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #275 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means ECU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 189 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at ECU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at East Carolina University make $5,247 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from East Carolina University

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Liberal Arts General Studies students in the state of North Carolina that almost earned our Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina award.

Rank College Location
13 Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville, NC
14 Lenoir Community College Kinston, NC
15 Catawba Valley Community College Hickory, NC
16 Brunswick Community College Bolivia, NC
17 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
18 Cleveland Community College Shelby, NC
19 North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC
20 Richmond Community College Hamlet, NC

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Southeast Region

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

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 7,724
Florida 282 64,443
Virginia 274 9,294
Tennessee 269 10,179
South Carolina 248 4,243
Kentucky 244 6,493
Louisiana 242 2,864
Mississippi 234 5,696
Arkansas 234 5,153
Alabama 233 5,890
West Virginia 207 3,558

View All Rankings >

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 Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts 15,820
Individualized Studies 1,633
General Studies 178
Humanities 10

View All Liberal Arts Focus Areas >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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