2026 Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best General Education master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 903 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Teaching Degree Search evaluated 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 Master’s Degree 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. Located in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Claremont Graduate University report
The strong General Education programs at Stanford University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Typical General Education student debt is $10,492. Get the full Stanford University report
Northwestern University came in at #3 on this year's General Education ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Northwestern University General Education students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read more about Northwestern University
The strong General Education programs at Whitworth University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Spokane, WA, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Students from in state pay about $52,880 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,051 to complete their General Education program here. More on Whitworth University
Out of the 903 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #5 spot. Located in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Typical General Education student debt is $27,471. Read the full report on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical General Education student debt is $16,155. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Harvard University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their General Education program here. Read the full report on Harvard University
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical General Education student debt is $15,729. Read the full report on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. The median General Education program debt is $17,492. Read more about California State University Sacramento
Johns Hopkins University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of California Berkeley landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. University Of California Berkeley General Education students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
University Of Puget Sound did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. The median General Education program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on University Of Puget Sound
York College Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in York, PA, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. York College Pennsylvania graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Read the full report on York College Pennsylvania
University Of San Diego placed #14 among General Education schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. See the full University Of San Diego profile
Westminster College Pa ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Wilmington, PA. Westminster College Pa graduates 65% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,290. Graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Get the full Westminster College Pa report
Gonzaga University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. More on Gonzaga University
Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $46,250 in tuition and fees. Typical General Education student debt is $22,542. More on Point Loma Nazarene University
California State University San Marcos placed #18 among General Education schools in the United States. Based in San Marcos, CA, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. California State University San Marcos posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. California State University San Marcos General Education students take on a median of $17,527 in debt. See the full California State University San Marcos profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete their General Education program here. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school based in Pomona, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. California State Polytechnic University Pomona General Education students take on a median of $17,226 in debt. Get the full California State Polytechnic University Pomona report
Seattle Pacific University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seattle, WA. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full Seattle Pacific University report
California State University Long Beach landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Set in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete their General Education program here. See the full California State University Long Beach profile
University Of California Los Angeles placed #24 among General Education schools in the United States. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical General Education student debt is $16,097. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Saint Marys College Of California did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,803. Typical General Education student debt is $25,041. More on Saint Marys College Of California
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Martin Luther College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Based in New Ulm, MN, Martin Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,224 to complete their General Education program here. Read the full report on Martin Luther College
Bank Street College Of Education did well this year, earning the #27 position. Based in New York, NY, Bank Street College Of Education is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Bank Street College Of Education
California State University Channel Islands placed #28 among General Education schools in the United States. Located in Camarillo, CA, California State University Channel Islands is a public institution. California State University Channel Islands posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. California State University Channel Islands General Education students take on a median of $16,997 in debt. Read more about California State University Channel Islands
Calvin College placed #29 among General Education schools in the United States. Set in Grand Rapids, MI, Calvin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Calvin College posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. The median General Education program debt is $22,707. See the full Calvin College profile
Augustana College South Dakota landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux Falls, SD. About 73% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,160. Augustana College South Dakota General Education students take on a median of $26,217 in debt. Get the full Augustana College South Dakota report
Vanderbilt University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
San Jose State University placed #32 among General Education schools in the United States. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Get the full San Jose State University report
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. This public school is set in Bothell, WA. About 65% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. More on University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Winona State University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Set in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Winona State University General Education students take on a median of $24,551 in debt. See the full Winona State University profile
University Of Delaware did well this year, earning the #35 position. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete their General Education program here. See the full University Of Delaware profile
California State University San Bernardino landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Bernardino, CA, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. The median General Education program debt is $15,149. Get the full California State University San Bernardino report
California Baptist University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Riverside, CA. California Baptist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. See the full California Baptist University profile
Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Typical General Education student debt is $22,248. See the full Loyola Marymount University profile
California State University Fullerton did well this year, earning the #39 position. This public school is set in Fullerton, CA. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. California State University Fullerton General Education students take on a median of $15,525 in debt. See the full California State University Fullerton profile
Purdue University Main Campus placed #40 among General Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Valparaiso University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Located in Valparaiso, IN, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. The median General Education program debt is $26,724. More on Valparaiso University
Carthage College placed #42 among General Education schools in the United States. Set in Kenosha, WI, Carthage College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,750. Carthage College General Education students take on a median of $25,708 in debt. More on Carthage College
Dominican University Of California placed #43 among General Education schools in the United States. Dominican University Of California is a private not-for-profit school based in San Rafael, CA. Dominican University Of California graduates 78% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $52,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their General Education program here. Read more about Dominican University Of California
Notre Dame De Namur University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Belmont, CA, Notre Dame De Namur University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 7%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,792. Graduates carry a median of $26,524 in student loans. Get the full Notre Dame De Namur University report
California State University Fresno did well this year, earning the #45 position. California State University Fresno is a public school based in Fresno, CA. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete their General Education program here. Read the full report on California State University Fresno
Minot State University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Located in Minot, ND, Minot State University is a public institution. Minot State University graduates 45% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Get the full Minot State University report
University Of California San Diego ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $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
California State University Bakersfield placed #48 among General Education schools in the United States. California State University Bakersfield is a public school based in Bakersfield, CA. California State University Bakersfield graduates 50% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Read more about California State University Bakersfield
National University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Located in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. National University General Education students take on a median of $30,426 in debt. More on National University
Goucher College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Baltimore, MD, Goucher College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,350. Graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. More on Goucher College
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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best General Education Graduate Certificate 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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