14,691
Graduates Per Year
$43K
Average Salary
#36
Most Popular Major
TOP
50
Degree Stats
Popular
14,691
13% NATIONAL AVG
Diplomas Received Last Year
413
5% NATIONAL AVG
Colleges Offering this Degree
Most Popular Degrees
35
Civil Engineering
14,832
36
General Studies
14,691
37
Journalism
12,988
Most Widely Offered Degrees
35
/
1.852
Worse
Better
Top 100 Colleges offering this degree
Degree Granting Schools that are Public
Most Graduates
By Region
Southeast
Western Kentucky University
By State
Texas
University of North Texas
By Conference
Conference USA
Western Kentucky University
By School
Central Alabama Community College
If you think life as a brand manager, general manager, or nonprofit program manager sounds interesting, then a degree in general studies may just be for you. You could even become a jack of all trades!
General studies is the 36th most popular degree in America, with 14,691 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #37 Journalism, and narrowly lost to #35 Civil Engineering.
The degree is offered at a total of 413 colleges across the nation, and is the 53rd most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 16% of the Top 100 Best Colleges in America.
It is also worth noting that something like 7/10ths of colleges offering general studies are public making it a quite accessible field.
The southeast produces the most general studies graduates, largely led by Western Kentucky University, while it’s the Conference USA that leads conference totals. As far as states, Texas ranks highest, with particular help from University of North Texas and The University of Texas at Arlington.
All that being said, no individual school produces more general studies graduates than Central Alabama Community College, which graduated 769 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study general studies). More students studied general studies as a percentage of total students at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus than any other college.
Good luck on your college search. We hope you enjoy Authority's 2022 official Best Colleges for General Studies list. Some of our picks may surprise you!
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#1 Best Colleges for General Studies
University of North Texas is a very large public university located in Denton, TX ranked 24th in Texas. It has a total of 35,111 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 73.61% acceptance rate. University of North Texas offers 243 different majors and is best known for its General Studies, Jazz, and Fashion Merchandising programs (nationally ranked 1st, 6th, and 7th respectively). With an annual tuition of $8,295 for students from Texas and $18,423 for those from out-of-state, University of North Texas is moderately priced. 55.16% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, working. Open graduating, alumni go on to make about $45,000 per year, which is 8% above the national median.
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Denton, TX
www.unt.edu
C+
Rating
74%
Acceptance
43,963
Students
# 200
Ranking
$18,423
Tuition
#2 Best Colleges for General Studies
Cornell University is a very large private university located in Ithaca, NY ranked 11th in the US. It has a total of 15,464 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting 10.85% of applicants. Cornell University offers 323 different majors and is best known for its Human Resources, Agricultural Business and Management, and Agriculture programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $56,550 per year, Cornell University is extremely pricey. 89.35% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, working. Open graduating, alumni go on to take home near $77,200 per year, which is 86% greater than the national median.
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Ithaca, NY
www.cornell.edu
A+
Rating
11%
Acceptance
24,189
Students
# 11
Ranking
$56,550
Tuition
#3 Best Colleges for General Studies
DePaul University is a very large private university located in Chicago, IL ranked 13th in Illinois. It has a total of 16,625 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 68.22% of applicants. DePaul University offers 263 different majors and is best known for its General Studies, Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications, and Computer Programming programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 3rd, and 5th respectively). With an annual tuition of $40,551 per year, DePaul University is rather high-priced. 65.8% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, entering the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to take home more or less $53,300 per year, which is 28% greater than the national median.
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Chicago, IL
https://www.depaul.edu
A-
Rating
68%
Acceptance
26,721
Students
# 224
Ranking
$40,551
Tuition
#4 Best Colleges for General Studies
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a very large public university located in Ann Arbor, MI ranked 37th in America. It has a total of 31,206 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, accepting slightly north of two in nine applicants. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers 433 different majors and is best known for its Experimental Psychology, Data Modeling and Database Administration, and German Language and Literature programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $15,230 for in-state students and $50,872 for those from out-of-state, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is very expensive. 86.28% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, working. Open graduating, alumni go on to bring home near $63,400 per year, which is 53% greater than the national median.
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Ann Arbor, MI
https://umich.edu/
A+
Rating
23%
Acceptance
48,218
Students
# 2
Ranking
$50,872
Tuition
#5 Best Colleges for General Studies
University of Mississippi is a very large public university located in University, MS ranked 4th in Mississippi. It has a total of 20,114 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 88.14% of applicants. University of Mississippi offers 178 different majors and is best known for its Forensic Chemistry, General Studies, and Geological Engineering programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 5th, and 6th respectively). With an annual tuition of $8,718 for in-state students and $24,990 for those from out-of-state, University of Mississippi is somewhat moderately expensive. 53.32% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, entering the labor force. After finishing college, alumni go on to make near $42,700 per year, which is 3% over the national median.
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University, MS
www.olemiss.edu
C+
Rating
88%
Acceptance
25,133
Students
# 219
Ranking
$24,990
Tuition
#6 Best Colleges for General Studies
University of Miami is a large private university located in Coral Gables, FL ranked 59th in America. It has a total of 12,351 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, accepting 27.13% of applicants. University of Miami offers 309 different majors and is best known for its Information Technology Administration and Management, Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography, and Broadcast Journalism programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively). With an annual tuition of $50,400 per year, University of Miami is exceptionally pricey. 74.98% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, entering the workforce. After finishing college, alumni go on to make around $60,100 per year, which is 45% above the national median.
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Coral Gables, FL
www.miami.edu/
A+
Rating
27%
Acceptance
19,618
Students
# 55
Ranking
$50,400
Tuition
#7 Best Colleges for General Studies
Wake Forest University is a mid-sized private university located in Winston-Salem, NC ranked 62nd in the US. It has a total of 5,399 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, accepting 29.6% of applicants. Wake Forest University offers 100 different majors and is best known for its French Studies, General Studies, and Elementary Education and Teaching programs (nationally ranked 1st, 7th, and 8th respectively). With an annual tuition of $54,430 per year, Wake Forest University is very costly. 85.68% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, employment. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to bring in near $63,800 per year, which is 54% over the national median.
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Winston-Salem, NC
www.wfu.edu
A+
Rating
30%
Acceptance
9,032
Students
# 58
Ranking
$54,430
Tuition
#8 Best Colleges for General Studies
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Storrs, CT
uconn.edu/
A
Rating
49%
Acceptance
29,683
Students
# 25
Ranking
$36,466
Tuition
#9 Best Colleges for General Studies
Texas Christian University is a large private university located in Fort Worth, TX ranked 119th in the United States. It has a total of 9,780 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 47.12% of applicants. Texas Christian University offers 199 different majors and is best known for its Computer Systems Analysis, Entrepreneurship, and Fashion Merchandising programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 3rd respectively). With an annual tuition of $49,160 per year, Texas Christian University is very expensive. 77.26% of students graduate ready to the next phase of their lives, working. After college, alumni go on to bring in close to $52,800 per year, which is 27% above the national median.
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Fort Worth, TX
www.tcu.edu/
A
Rating
47%
Acceptance
11,499
Students
# 98
Ranking
$49,160
Tuition
#10 Best Colleges for General Studies
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Villanova, PA
www.villanova.edu
A+
Rating
28%
Acceptance
12,719
Students
# 80
Ranking
$54,550
Tuition
#11 Best Colleges for General Studies
Read More
Tampa, FL
www.usf.edu
A
Rating
48%
Acceptance
51,808
Students
# 58
Ranking
$15,473
Tuition
#12 Best Colleges for General Studies
University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a very large public university located in Seattle, WA ranked 110th in America. It has a total of 39,443 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 51.76% acceptance rate. University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers 687 different majors and is best known for its Informatics, Environmental Science, and Physician Assistant Studies programs, which are all nationally ranked 2nd. With an annual tuition of $10,370 for in-state students and $37,071 for those from out-of-state, University of Washington-Seattle Campus is quite high-priced. 77.21% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, joining the labor market. After finishing college, alumni go on to bring home about $57,700 per year, which is 39% above the national median.
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Seattle, WA
www.washington.edu
A
Rating
52%
Acceptance
56,315
Students
# 15
Ranking
$37,071
Tuition
#13 Best Colleges for General Studies
The University of Texas at Arlington is a very large public university located in Arlington, TX ranked 30th in Texas. It has a total of 42,763 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 82.89% of applicants. The University of Texas at Arlington offers 179 different majors and is best known for its Social Work, Construction Engineering, and General Studies programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 9th, and 13th respectively). With an annual tuition of $8,624 for students from Texas and $25,713 for those from out-of-state, The University of Texas at Arlington is somewhat moderately pricey. 50.84% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, entering the workforce. Open graduating, alumni go on to earn approximately $48,700 per year, which is 17% over the national median.
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Arlington, TX
https://WWW.UTA.EDU
C+
Rating
83%
Acceptance
60,035
Students
# 240
Ranking
$25,713
Tuition
#14 Best Colleges for General Studies
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is a very large public university located in Stillwater, OK ranked 3rd in Oklahoma. It has a total of 22,404 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 69.98% of applicants. Oklahoma State University-Main Campus offers 260 different majors and is best known for its Technical Teacher Education, Agricultural Public Services, and Fire Protection programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $5,357 for in-state students and $20,877 for those from out-of-state, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus is somewhat moderately pricey. 54.49% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to generate close to $46,500 per year, which is 12% over the national median.
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Stillwater, OK
www.okstate.edu/
B
Rating
70%
Acceptance
27,200
Students
# 140
Ranking
$20,877
Tuition
#15 Best Colleges for General Studies
Eastern Connecticut State University is a small public college located in Willimantic, CT ranked 13th in Connecticut. It has a total of 5,425 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 63.87% acceptance rate. Eastern Connecticut State University offers 44 different majors and is best known for its Labor Studies, Preschool Education and Teaching, and General Studies programs (nationally ranked 1st, 4th, and 15th respectively). With an annual tuition of $5,924 for in-state students and $17,726 for those from out-of-state, Eastern Connecticut State University is moderately priced. 52.92% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, entering the workforce. After finishing college, alumni go on to take home more or less $46,400 per year, which is 12% over the national median.
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Willimantic, CT
www.easternct.edu/
B-
Rating
64%
Acceptance
5,714
Students
# 173
Ranking
$17,726
Tuition
#16 Best Colleges for General Studies
Texas Tech University is a very large public university located in Lubbock, TX ranked 18th in Texas. It has a total of 33,618 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 68.91% acceptance rate. Texas Tech University offers 215 different majors and is best known for its Agricultural Public Services, Human Sciences, and Rhetoric and Composition programs (nationally ranked 1st, 4th, and 6th respectively). With an annual tuition of $6,744 for students from Texas and $16,704 for those from out-of-state, Texas Tech University is moderately priced. 58.48% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, joining the labor market. Open graduating, alumni go on to draw around $51,400 per year, which is 24% greater than the national median.
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Lubbock, TX
www.ttu.edu
B
Rating
69%
Acceptance
41,153
Students
# 126
Ranking
$16,704
Tuition
#17 Best Colleges for General Studies
University of Central Florida is a very large public university located in Orlando, FL ranked 195th in America. It has a total of 68,412 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 44.36% acceptance rate. University of Central Florida offers 195 different majors and is best known for its Hospitality Management, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Physical Education programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $4,478 for in-state students and $19,810 for those from out-of-state, University of Central Florida is reasonably priced. 66.14% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, working. After college, alumni go on to make near $45,400 per year, which is 9% greater than the national median.
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Orlando, FL
www.ucf.edu/
A
Rating
44%
Acceptance
80,378
Students
# 52
Ranking
$19,810
Tuition
#18 Best Colleges for General Studies
University of South Florida-Sarasota-Manatee is a small public university located in Sarasota, FL ranked 182nd in America. It has a total of 2,314 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, with a 23.61% acceptance rate. University of South Florida-Sarasota-Manatee offers 27 different majors and is best known for its Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing, Hospitality Management, and Communication Sciences and Disorders programs (nationally ranked 5th, 13th, and 18th respectively). With an annual tuition of $4,206 for in-state students and $15,120 for those from out-of-state, University of South Florida-Sarasota-Manatee is reasonably priced. 65.22% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, employment. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to earn more or less $43,500 per year, which is 5% over the national median.
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Sarasota, FL
usfsm.edu/
A
Rating
24%
Acceptance
2,505
Students
# 48
Ranking
$15,120
Tuition
#19 Best Colleges for General Studies
United States Naval Academy is a small public institution located in Annapolis, MD ranked 150th in the nation. It has a total of 4,512 full-time undergraduate students and is highly competitive, accepting 8.33% of applicants. United States Naval Academy offers 27 different majors and is best known for its Arabic Language and Literature, Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering, and Military Technologies programs (nationally ranked 1st, 3rd, and 3rd respectively).
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Annapolis, MD
www.usna.edu
A
Rating
8%
Acceptance
4,512
Students
# 34
Ranking
-
Tuition
#20 Best Colleges for General Studies
Oklahoma City University is a small private institution located in Oklahoma City, OK ranked 4th in Oklahoma. It has a total of 1,859 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 74.64% of applicants. Oklahoma City University offers 123 different majors and is best known for its Drama and Dance Teacher Education, Broadcast Journalism, and Acting programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 15th, and 18th respectively). With an annual tuition of $28,094 per year, Oklahoma City University is somewhat moderately pricey. 56.58% of students graduate ready to the next phase of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to take home roughly $42,800 per year, which is 3% greater than the national median.
Read More
Oklahoma City, OK
www.okcu.edu
B
Rating
75%
Acceptance
3,163
Students
# 362
Ranking
$28,094
Tuition
#21 Best Colleges for General Studies
East Carolina University is a very large public university located in Greenville, NC ranked 16th in North Carolina. It has a total of 25,196 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 78.72% of applicants. East Carolina University offers 187 different majors and is best known for its Industrial Production Technologies, Accounting and Business Management, and Home Economics Teacher Education programs (nationally ranked 1st, 3rd, and 3rd respectively). With an annual tuition of $4,452 for students from North Carolina and $20,729 for those from out-of-state, East Carolina University is reasonably high-priced. 61.11% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, entering the workforce. After finishing college, alumni go on to take home roughly $40,500 per year, which is 2% below the national median.
Read More
Greenville, NC
www.ecu.edu
C+
Rating
79%
Acceptance
32,028
Students
# 232
Ranking
$20,729
Tuition
#22 Best Colleges for General Studies
Georgia Southern University is a very large public college located in Statesboro, GA ranked 13th in Georgia. It has a total of 26,545 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 54.47% acceptance rate. Georgia Southern University offers 203 different majors and is best known for its Radiation Therapy, Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management, and Physical Therapy programs (nationally ranked 1st, 4th, and 8th respectively). With an annual tuition of $4,371 for students from Georgia and $15,426 for those from out-of-state, Georgia Southern University is moderately priced. 44.77% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, entering the labor force. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to bring home close to $41,900 per year, which is 1% greater than the national median.
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Statesboro, GA
www.georgiasouthern.edu
C+
Rating
54%
Acceptance
30,628
Students
# 215
Ranking
$15,426
Tuition
#23 Best Colleges for General Studies
United States Air Force Academy is a small public college located in USAF Academy, CO ranked 170th in the nation. It has a total of 4,330 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting a bit greater than 10% of applicants. United States Air Force Academy offers 39 different majors and is best known for its Military Technologies, Behavioral Sciences, and Systems Engineering programs (nationally ranked 5th, 6th, and 7th respectively).
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USAF Academy, CO
www.usafa.edu
A
Rating
11%
Acceptance
4,330
Students
# 45
Ranking
-
Tuition
#24 Best Colleges for General Studies
West Virginia University is a very large public university located in Morgantown, WV ranked 1st in West Virginia. It has a total of 22,522 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 84.28% of applicants. West Virginia University offers 213 different majors and is best known for its Natural Resources Management and Policy, Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management, and Forestry programs (nationally ranked 8th, 9th, and 10th respectively). With an annual tuition of $8,976 for students from West Virginia and $25,320 for those from out-of-state, West Virginia University is reasonably pricey. 48.57% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, working. Open graduating, alumni go on to make about $45,800 per year, which is 10% greater than the national median.
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Morgantown, WV
www.wvu.edu
C+
Rating
84%
Acceptance
29,323
Students
# 234
Ranking
$25,320
Tuition
#25 Best Colleges for General Studies
Saint Louis University is a large private university located in Saint Louis, MO ranked 176th in the US. It has a total of 11,095 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 58.28% acceptance rate. Saint Louis University offers 243 different majors and is best known for its Occupational Therapy, Homeland Security, and Organizational Behavior Studies programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 4th, and 8th respectively). With an annual tuition of $44,700 per year, Saint Louis University is quite pricey. 67.58% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, entering the labor market. After college, alumni go on to take home near $56,500 per year, which is 36% above the national median.
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Saint Louis, MO
www.slu.edu
A
Rating
58%
Acceptance
16,248
Students
# 129
Ranking
$44,700
Tuition