Best institutions to study General Studies
An undifferentiated program that includes instruction in the general arts, general science, or unstructured studies.
858 U.S. institutions graduated 129,257 General Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 24.0102, a specialization of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CIP 24.01), and leads most directly to the Postsecondary Teachers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 25-1199).
About General Studies programs
An undifferentiated program that includes instruction in the general arts, general science, or unstructured studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The General Studies program, under the Liberal Arts and Sciences umbrella, offers a flexible educational path for students who prefer an undifferentiated approach to their studies. This program is ideal for those who are undecided about their major or wish to explore a broad range of subjects before committing to a specific field.
Students in the General Studies program engage in a diverse curriculum that includes general arts and sciences. This unstructured approach allows for the development of critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills, preparing students for various academic and professional pursuits.
Credentials awarded
What General Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree94,663 graduates / yr · 614 institutions73%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years18,001 graduates / yr · 66 institutions14%
- Bachelor's degree12,889 graduates / yr · 292 institutions10%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3,497 graduates / yr · 34 institutions2.7%
- Master's degree148 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate58 graduates / yr · 8 institutions0.0%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
General Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 85,449 |
| 2013 | 94,952 |
| 2014 | 103,774 |
| 2015 | 109,024 |
| 2016 | 113,730 |
| 2017 | 119,161 |
| 2018 | 120,220 |
| 2019 | 126,381 |
| 2020 | 133,577 |
| 2021 | 130,682 |
| 2022 | 124,797 |
| 2023 | 123,182 |
| 2024 | 127,877 |
| 2025 | 129,257 |
Top 50 institutions for General Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAssociate's | 5,908 | 32% | — | $33,060 |
| 2 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAssociate's | 4,598 | 34% | — | $30,179 |
| 3 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sBachelor's | 2,630 | 59% | — | $28,782 |
| 4 | Southern Utah University Cedar City, UTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 2,417 | 61% | — | $24,258 |
| 5 | Northwest Vista College San Antonio, TXPublicAssociate's | 2,340 | 32% | — | $25,952 |
| 6 | Utah Tech University Saint George, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 2,288 | 38% | — | $26,493 |
| 7 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 2,169 | 43% | $34,565 | $43,806 |
| 8 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAssociate's | 2,074 | 20% | — | $38,436 |
| 9 | San Antonio College San Antonio, TXPublicAssociate's | 2,073 | 26% | — | $26,334 |
| 10 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1,757 | 46% | — | $34,165 |
| 11 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAssociate's | 1,704 | 17% | — | $29,423 |
| 12 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 1,648 | 45% | — | $28,089 |
| 13 | Arizona Western College Yuma, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 1,426 | 20% | — | — |
| 14 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 1,405 | 33% | — | $27,643 |
| 15 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 1,391 | 57% | $10,199 | $52,108 |
| 16 | Laredo College Laredo, TXPublicAssociate's | 1,387 | 30% | — | — |
| 17 | South Texas College McAllen, TXPublicAssociate's | 1,353 | 27% | — | $20,366 |
| 18 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAssociate's | 1,330 | 30% | — | $27,792 |
| 19 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 1,268 | 17% | — | $51,663 |
| 20 | Palo Alto College San Antonio, TXPublicAssociate's | 1,210 | 33% | — | — |
| 21 | Northeast Lakeview College Universal City, TXPublicAssociate's | 1,152 | 32% | — | — |
| 22 | Baton Rouge Community College Baton Rouge, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1,128 | 31% | — | $28,650 |
| 23 | South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 1,115 | 30% | — | $21,569 |
| 24 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1,067 | 31% | — | $31,097 |
| 25 | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick, RIPublicAssociate's | 1,061 | 26% | — | $27,952 |
| 26 | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, ALPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1,057 | 41% | — | $24,455 |
| 27 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicAssociate's | 1,042 | 49% | — | $36,292 |
| 28 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAssociate's | 945 | 20% | — | $32,114 |
| 29 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAssociate's | 935 | 18% | — | $30,852 |
| 30 | North Central Texas College Gainesville, TXPublicAssociate's | 918 | 35% | — | $34,615 |
| 31 | Suffolk County Community College Selden, NYPublicAssociate's | 874 | 29% | — | $26,874 |
| 32 | Southern Union State Community College Wadley, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 851 | 36% | — | $26,174 |
| 33 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 841 | 35% | — | $33,847 |
| 34 | Blinn College District Brenham, TXPublicAssociate's | 827 | 11% | — | $28,975 |
| 35 | Delgado Community College New Orleans, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 824 | 24% | — | $26,311 |
| 36 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAssociate's | 805 | 29% | — | $35,804 |
| 37 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 804 | 55% | $6,760 | $20,404 |
| 38 | North Idaho College Coeur d'Alene, IDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 788 | 38% | — | $27,940 |
| 39 | Central Texas College Killeen, TXPublicAssociate's | 775 | 11% | — | $39,731 |
| 40 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TNPublicAssociate'sMaster's | 773 | 40% | — | $30,708 |
| 41 | Lorain County Community College Elyria, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 745 | 31% | — | $26,257 |
| 42 | Tyler Junior College Tyler, TXPublicAssociate's | 739 | 27% | — | $25,050 |
| 43 | Hinds Community College Raymond, MSPublicAssociate's | 728 | 43% | — | $20,965 |
| 44 | Yavapai College Prescott, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 708 | 34% | — | $28,830 |
| 45 | Texas Southmost College Brownsville, TXPublicAssociate's | 679 | 30% | — | $22,111 |
| 46 | Moorpark College Moorpark, CAPublicAssociate's | 657 | 44% | — | — |
| 47 | Kent State University at Stark North Canton, OHPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 637 | 37% | — | $34,969 |
| 48 | Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 633 | 15% | — | $27,632 |
| 49 | Odessa College Odessa, TXPublicAssociate's | 628 | 37% | — | $28,193 |
| 50 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAssociate's | 628 | 32% | — | $27,294 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Liberal Arts and Sciences field (CIP 24.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 53 states & territories
Where General Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Liberal Arts and Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1199, Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the General Studies program can pursue careers in various fields, with a primary occupation being postsecondary teachers. The job outlook for this field shows little to no change, with an annual opening of approximately 13,500 positions and a median wage of $78,490, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 24.0102
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Postsecondary Teachers, All Otherprimary SOC 25-1199 | $77,640 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~13,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Other Liberal Arts and Sciences specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Liberal Arts and Sciences (CIP 24.01).
Common questions
What is the General Studies program?+
It is an undifferentiated program that allows students to explore various subjects within the Liberal Arts and Sciences.
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
Students can earn an Associate's degree, a Bachelor's degree, or other academic awards.
What careers can I pursue with a General Studies degree?+
Graduates often become postsecondary teachers, among other professions.
What is the job outlook for General Studies graduates?+
The job outlook shows little change, with around 13,500 annual openings and a median wage of $78,490.
What is the CIP code for General Studies?+
General Studies is CIP 24.0102 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Liberal Arts and Sciences (CIP 24.01). NCES defines it as: An undifferentiated program that includes instruction in the general arts, general science, or unstructured studies.
How many institutions offer General Studies programs?+
858 U.S. institutions reported General Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 53 states & territories, awarding 129,257 credentials in the year. That is 23.6% of all Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.
How much do General Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Postsecondary Teachers, All Other occupation, which General Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $77,640 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Liberal Arts and Sciences field report median earnings of $28,830 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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