College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee

23 Colleges in Tennessee
9,238 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,562 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #1 in popularity, liberal arts general studies is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

College Factual reviewed 23 schools in Tennessee to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of liberal arts general studies. Combined, these schools handed out 9,238 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 Tennessee Your choice of liberal arts 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 liberal arts 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.

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 picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Tennessee ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in Tennessee

The schools below may not offer all types of liberal arts degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

10 Top Tennessee Schools in Liberal Arts

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
160 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$45,645 Median Starting Salary

Every student pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies has to look into Middle Tennessee State University. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1036 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Middle Tennessee State University is a great university overall.

There were about 160 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year we have data available. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn $14,083 more than the average liberal arts student.

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

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
115 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$40,058 Median Starting Salary

University of Memphis is a wonderful option for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the large city of Memphis, UofM is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #807 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UofM is a great university overall.

There were roughly 115 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at UofM in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at University of Memphis make $8,496 above the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University of Memphis

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
Union crest
Union University
Jackson, TN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
46 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$41,320 Median Starting Salary

It's hard to beat Union University if you want to pursue a degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Jackson, Union is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #538 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Union is a great university overall.

There were approximately 46 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Union in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the liberal arts general studies major at Union University get $9,758 more than the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

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

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
96 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$32,474 Median Starting Salary

Every student pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies has to take a look at East Tennessee State University. ETSU is a large public university located in the small city of Johnson City. A Best Colleges rank of #802 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means ETSU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 96 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at ETSU in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program make around $32,474 for their early career.

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

5
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
68 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
11.8% Growth in Graduates

Lee University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Cleveland. A Best Colleges rank of #1008 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Lee University is a great university overall.

There were about 68 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Lee University in the most recent data year. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Lee University make $14,116 more than the average liberal arts grad.

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

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
136 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$22,849 Median Starting Salary

CU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the fringe town of Lebanon. A Best Colleges rank of #1255 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means CU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 136 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at CU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts program state that they receive average early career income of $22,849.

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

7
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
613 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
1.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #897 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Chattanooga State Community College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 613 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Chattanooga State Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program make an average of $25,797 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Chattanooga State 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
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
553 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$33,638 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 25th out of 41 colleges for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were roughly 553 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the liberal arts general studies major at Austin Peay State University earn $2,076 more than the average college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

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

9
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
600 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$28,980 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #883 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Southwest is a great college overall.

There were roughly 600 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Southwest in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients generally make around $28,980 at the beginning of their careers.

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

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
348 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
7.8% Growth in Graduates

JSCC is a small public college located in the small city of Jackson. A Best Colleges rank of #799 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means JSCC is a great college overall.

There were approximately 348 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at JSCC in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the liberal arts program earn about $27,378 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Jackson 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
Georgia 287 7,724
Florida 282 64,443
North Carolina 279 18,227
Virginia 274 9,294
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 8,131
General Studies 928
Individualized Studies 164
Humanities 15

View All Liberal Arts Focus Areas >

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