2026 Best General Education Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best General Education master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor 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
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is Claremont Graduate University, our #1 General Education school in the United States. Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. See the full Claremont Graduate University profile
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University General Education students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Read the full report on Stanford University
A rank of #3 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Northwestern University General Education students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. More on Northwestern University
A rank of #4 makes Whitworth University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spokane, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. The median General Education program debt is $26,051. More on Whitworth University
The strong General Education programs at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Aliso Viejo, CA, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,540. Typical General Education student debt is $27,471. Read more about Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. The median General Education program debt is $16,155. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Harvard University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. About 98% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full Harvard University report
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical General Education student debt is $15,729. More on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
California State University Sacramento did well this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Sacramento, CA. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete their General Education program here. See the full California State University Sacramento profile
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Johns Hopkins University General Education students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. More on Johns Hopkins University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
University Of Puget Sound did well this year, earning the #12 position. University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit school based in Tacoma, WA. University Of Puget Sound posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,898. The median General Education program debt is $27,000. Get the full University Of Puget Sound report
York College Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in York, PA, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. York College Pennsylvania graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. More on York College Pennsylvania
University Of San Diego ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Located in San Diego, CA, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Get the full University Of San Diego report
Westminster College Pa did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in New Wilmington, PA, Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. Read more about Westminster College Pa
Gonzaga University placed #16 among General Education schools in the United States. Based in Spokane, WA, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,480. Typical General Education student debt is $25,188. See the full Gonzaga University profile
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #17 among General Education schools in the United States. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. About 77% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,250. Typical General Education student debt is $22,542. See the full Point Loma Nazarene University profile
California State University San Marcos placed #18 among General Education schools in the United States. Located in San Marcos, CA, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. The median General Education program debt is $17,527. See the full California State University San Marcos profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #19 among General Education schools in the United States. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. University Of Virginia Main Campus General Education students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. The median General Education program debt is $20,778. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #21 among General Education schools in the United States. Located in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical General Education student debt is $17,226. Read the full report on California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Seattle Pacific University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. 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. Typical General Education student debt is $25,000. Read more about Seattle Pacific University
California State University Long Beach placed #23 among General Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Long Beach, CA. 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
University Of California Los Angeles placed #24 among General Education schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical General Education student debt is $16,097. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
Saint Marys College Of California placed #25 among General Education schools in the United States. Based in Moraga, CA, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $57,803 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,041 to complete their General Education program here. 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. Set in New Ulm, MN, Martin Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,120. 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 more about Bank Street College Of Education
California State University Channel Islands landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Camarillo, CA. California State University Channel Islands graduates 51% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $16,997 to complete their General Education program here. See the full California State University Channel Islands profile
Calvin College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Grand Rapids, MI. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Typical General Education student debt is $22,707. Read the full report on Calvin College
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit school based in Sioux Falls, SD. Augustana College South Dakota graduates 73% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Typical General Education student debt is $26,217. Read the full report on Augustana College South Dakota
Vanderbilt University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read more about Vanderbilt University
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. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Read more about San Jose State University
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #33 among General Education schools in the United States. This public school is set in Bothell, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. 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. Get the full University Of Washington Bothell Campus report
Winona State University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. The median General Education program debt is $24,551. More on Winona State University
University Of Delaware landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. The median General Education program debt is $24,861. See the full University Of Delaware profile
California State University San Bernardino came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Located in San Bernardino, CA, California State University San Bernardino is a public institution. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical General Education student debt is $15,149. Read more about California State University San Bernardino
California Baptist University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverside, CA. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. California Baptist University General Education students take on a median of $28,169 in debt. Read more about California Baptist University
Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #38 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,867. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete their General Education program here. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report
California State University Fullerton ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Based in Fullerton, CA, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Get the full California State University Fullerton report
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete their General Education program here. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
Valparaiso University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Set 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. Typical General Education student debt is $26,724. See the full Valparaiso University profile
Carthage College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Kenosha, WI. Carthage College graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,708 in student loans. Read the full report on Carthage College
Dominican University Of California did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in San Rafael, CA, Dominican University Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Dominican University Of California graduates 78% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,161. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their General Education program here. See the full Dominican University Of California profile
Notre Dame De Namur University placed #44 among General Education schools in the United States. Set in Belmont, CA, Notre Dame De Namur University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 7%. Students from in state pay about $15,792 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,524 to complete their General Education program here. 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. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. The median General Education program debt is $15,598. Get the full California State University Fresno report
Minot State University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Set in Minot, ND, Minot State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,702. Typical General Education student debt is $25,788. See the full Minot State University profile
University Of California San Diego landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. University Of California San Diego General Education students take on a median of $17,101 in debt. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
California State University Bakersfield came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in Bakersfield, CA, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. California State University Bakersfield graduates 50% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. See the full California State University Bakersfield profile
National University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best General Education schools. Located in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. See the full National University profile
Goucher College placed #50 among General Education schools in the United States. Located in Baltimore, MD, Goucher College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,350. Typical General Education student debt is $25,406. 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
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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