2026 Best General Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best General Education bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 903 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Teaching Degree Search analyzed schools to build 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Bellevue University to be the best General Education school in the United States. Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bellevue, NE. Bellevue University posts a six-year graduation rate of 33%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Bellevue University General Education students take on a median of $26,556 in debt. More on Bellevue University
Out of the 903 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Florida landed the #2 spot. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete their General Education program here. Read more about University Of Florida
Texas Christian University came in at #3 on this year's General Education ranking in the United States. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Texas Christian University General Education students take on a median of $22,960 in debt. Get the full Texas Christian University report
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #4 on this year's General Education ranking in the United States. Located in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Bothell Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete their General Education program here. Get the full University Of Washington Bothell Campus report
Brown University came in at #5 on this year's General Education ranking in the United States. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Read the full report on Brown University
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Saint Peter, MN, Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gustavus Adolphus College posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. Gustavus Adolphus College General Education students take on a median of $26,197 in debt. Get the full Gustavus Adolphus College report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Central Washington University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is a public institution. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Central Washington University General Education students take on a median of $21,988 in debt. Read the full report on Central Washington University
Vanderbilt University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Vanderbilt University General Education students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Syracuse University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Syracuse, NY. Syracuse University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. The median General Education program debt is $23,250. Read more about Syracuse University
St Olaf College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit school based in Northfield, MN. St Olaf College posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,760. The median General Education program debt is $24,507. See the full St Olaf College profile
Marquette University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete their General Education program here. See the full Marquette University profile
Saint Martins University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lacey, WA, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Martins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,510. The median General Education program debt is $22,818. See the full Saint Martins University profile
Concordia College At Moorhead came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Moorhead, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Concordia College At Moorhead General Education students take on a median of $26,637 in debt. Get the full Concordia College At Moorhead report
Seattle Pacific University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Seattle, WA, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Seattle Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. The median General Education program debt is $25,000. Get the full Seattle Pacific University report
Saint Norbert College placed #16 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%. Students from in state pay about $45,580 in tuition and fees. The median General Education program debt is $26,578. See the full Saint Norbert College profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #18 among General Education schools in the United States. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $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
Whitworth University placed #19 among General Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. Whitworth University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Students borrow a median of $26,051 to complete their General Education program here. Get the full Whitworth University report
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Located 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. Graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
New York University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. The median General Education program debt is $21,375. More on New York University
Monmouth University placed #22 among General Education schools in the United States. Located in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Monmouth University General Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Monmouth University report
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical General Education student debt is $20,031. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Illinois Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bloomington, IL. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $57,704 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete their General Education program here. See the full Illinois Wesleyan University profile
Kansas State University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete their General Education program here. See the full Kansas State University profile
Southwestern University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Based in Georgetown, TX, Southwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,613. Graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Get the full Southwestern University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #27 among General Education schools in the United States. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. The median General Education program debt is $22,113. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their General Education program here. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Michigan State University placed #29 among General Education schools in the United States. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Michigan State University General Education students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Michigan State University
University Of California San Diego did well this year, earning the #30 position. This public school is set in La Jolla, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete their General Education program here. More on University Of California San Diego
Alma College placed #31 among General Education schools in the United States. Set in Alma, MI, Alma College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $49,552. Graduates carry a median of $27,248 in student loans. See the full Alma College profile
Dominican University Of California did well this year, earning the #32 position. Dominican University Of California is a private not-for-profit school based in San Rafael, CA. Dominican University Of California posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. In-state tuition and fees average $52,161. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their General Education program here. See the full Dominican University Of California profile
Denison University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Located in Granville, OH, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. The median General Education program debt is $25,360. Get the full Denison University report
Dominican University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in River Forest, IL, Dominican University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete their General Education program here. Get the full Dominican University report
Heritage University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Heritage University is a private not-for-profit school based in Toppenish, WA. Heritage University graduates 52% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,928. Students borrow a median of $19,148 to complete their General Education program here. Read the full report on Heritage University
Trinity Christian College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Palos Heights, IL, Trinity Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity Christian College posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Typical General Education student debt is $28,722. Get the full Trinity Christian College report
Elmhurst College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in Elmhurst, IL, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,955. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete their General Education program here. Read the full report on Elmhurst College
Hamline University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,004. The median General Education program debt is $25,000. More on Hamline University
North Greenville University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Located in Tigerville, SC, North Greenville University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,800. Typical General Education student debt is $24,128. See the full North Greenville University profile
Stetson University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in DeLand, FL, Stetson University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,410. Graduates carry a median of $25,382 in student loans. More on Stetson University
Western Oregon University placed #41 among General Education schools in the United States. Western Oregon University is a public school based in Monmouth, OR. Western Oregon University graduates 47% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,514, with out-of-state students paying around $32,169. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full Western Oregon University profile
Pacific University placed #42 among General Education schools in the United States. Set in Forest Grove, OR, Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $56,374. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Pacific University report
Tufts University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Tufts University General Education students take on a median of $17,074 in debt. Read more about Tufts University
Trinity Washington University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Set in Washington, DC, Trinity Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Typical General Education student debt is $31,194. Read more about Trinity Washington University
Saint Thomas Aquinas College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a private not-for-profit school based in Sparkill, NY. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $39,450. Graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Read more about Saint Thomas Aquinas College
Grand Valley State University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical General Education student debt is $29,364. Get the full Grand Valley State University report
Texas Tech University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Texas Tech University General Education students take on a median of $24,271 in debt. More on Texas Tech University
Midland University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Based in Fremont, NE, Midland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,050. The median General Education program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Midland University
Duquesne University landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Graduates carry a median of $26,297 in student loans. Read the full report on Duquesne University
Loras College did well this year, earning the #51 position. Based in Dubuque, IA, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Read more about Loras College
University Of Hawaii West Oahu did well this year, earning the #52 position. Located in Kapolei, HI, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,584, compared with $20,544 for out-of-state students. Typical General Education student debt is $24,333. See the full University Of Hawaii West Oahu profile
Related General Education Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best General Education Schools (All Levels)
- Best General Education Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Education Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Education Associate’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
The ranking above is published by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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