2026 Best General Education Schools
Looking for the best General Education programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 903 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Teaching Degree Search reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 General Education Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Claremont Graduate University, our #1 General Education school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. More on Claremont Graduate University
You'll be in good company at Northwestern University, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Northwestern University General Education students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. More on Northwestern University
You'll be in good company at Stanford University, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical General Education student debt is $10,492. Get the full Stanford University report
You'll be in good company at Bellevue University, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. The median General Education program debt is $26,556. Read the full report on Bellevue University
Out of the 903 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Florida landed the #5 spot. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Florida
Texas Christian University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
Whitworth University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,880. Students borrow a median of $26,051 to complete their General Education program here. Read more about Whitworth University
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Graduates carry a median of $27,471 in student loans. See the full Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System profile
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. This public school is set in Bothell, WA. University Of Washington Bothell Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. The median General Education program debt is $15,729. Read more about University Of Washington Bothell Campus
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical General Education student debt is $16,155. More on University Of Pennsylvania
Brown University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Brown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Providence, RI. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete their General Education program here. Read the full report on Brown University
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #12 among General Education schools in the United States. Based in Saint Peter, MN, Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $56,076. Graduates carry a median of $26,197 in student loans. Read the full report on Gustavus Adolphus College
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete their General Education program here. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Harvard University placed #14 among General Education schools in the United States. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. The median General Education program debt is $16,616. Read the full report on Harvard University
Campbell University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Buies Creek, NC, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $41,600. Typical General Education student debt is $18,750. More on Campbell University
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #16 in this year's ranking. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public school based in Tacoma, WA. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates 63% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus General Education students take on a median of $15,729 in debt. Read more about University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Vanderbilt University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Vanderbilt University General Education students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. More on Vanderbilt University
Syracuse University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. The median General Education program debt is $23,250. Read the full report on Syracuse University
St Olaf College did well this year, earning the #19 position. St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit school based in Northfield, MN. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete their General Education program here. More on St Olaf College
Marquette University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. About 83% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. The median General Education program debt is $24,122. Get the full Marquette University report
Saint Martins University placed #21 among General Education schools in the United States. Located in Lacey, WA, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,510. Typical General Education student debt is $22,818. More on Saint Martins University
Johns Hopkins University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their General Education program here. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
California State University Sacramento came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical General Education student debt is $17,492. Read more about California State University Sacramento
Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Moorhead, MN. About 61% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $31,170 in tuition and fees. The median General Education program debt is $26,637. Get the full Concordia College At Moorhead report
University Of California Berkeley placed #25 among General Education schools in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley General Education students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Education Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Delaware landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Saint Norbert College placed #27 among General Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in De Pere, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,580. Saint Norbert College General Education students take on a median of $26,578 in debt. Read more about Saint Norbert College
Auburn University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical General Education student debt is $22,803. More on Auburn University
Seattle Pacific University placed #30 among General Education schools in the United States. Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seattle, WA. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,407. Seattle Pacific University General Education students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full Seattle Pacific University profile
University Of Puget Sound came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Set in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,898. University Of Puget Sound General Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Puget Sound report
York College Pennsylvania ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in York, PA. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Read more about York College Pennsylvania
University Of San Diego landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Diego, CA, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete their General Education program here. See the full University Of San Diego profile
Westminster College Pa ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Based in New Wilmington, PA, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,290. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete their General Education program here. More on Westminster College Pa
Gonzaga University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Set in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. The median General Education program debt is $25,188. See the full Gonzaga University profile
Point Loma Nazarene University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Set in San Diego, CA, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $46,250 in tuition and fees. Point Loma Nazarene University General Education students take on a median of $22,542 in debt. See the full Point Loma Nazarene University profile
California State University San Marcos landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Marcos, CA, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Get the full California State University San Marcos report
New York University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. The median General Education program debt is $21,375. See the full New York University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #39 in this year's ranking. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign General Education students take on a median of $20,778 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete their General Education program here. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. California State Polytechnic University Pomona General Education students take on a median of $17,226 in debt. Read more about California State Polytechnic University Pomona
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical General Education student debt is $21,818. Read more about University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #43 among General Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Illinois Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #44 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bloomington, IL. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $57,704. Graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. More on Illinois Wesleyan University
University Of Georgia landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Winona State University placed #46 among General Education schools in the United States. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical General Education student debt is $24,551. More on Winona State University
Kansas State University placed #47 among General Education schools in the United States. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. About 71% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical General Education student debt is $23,546. Read the full report on Kansas State University
Southwestern University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Set in Georgetown, TX, Southwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southwestern University graduates 73% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $53,613. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete their General Education program here. See the full Southwestern University profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. North Carolina State University At Raleigh General Education students take on a median of $22,113 in debt. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
California State University Long Beach placed #50 among General Education schools in the United States. Set in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Get the full California State University Long Beach report
Saint Marys College Of California came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Located in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,803. Typical General Education student debt is $25,041. See the full Saint Marys College Of California profile
Best General Education Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best General Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Education Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best General Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best General Education Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools
- Best General Education Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 903 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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