2026 Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Liberal Arts And General Studies associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 2221 colleges 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, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Liberal Arts And General Studies Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
American Public University System tops our 2026 ranking of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies associate's degree schools in the United States. Located in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. American Public University System posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. American Public University System Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $6,195 in debt. More on American Public University System
The strong Liberal Arts And General Studies programs at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earned it the #2 place in the United States. This public school is set in Aliso Viejo, CA. Students from in state pay about $12,540 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,552 in student loans. Get the full Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System report
A rank of #3 makes Columbia Southern University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. Columbia Southern University graduates 26% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,224 in tuition and fees. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $15,923. Get the full Columbia Southern University report
Excelsior College came in at #4 on this year's Liberal Arts And General Studies ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Albany, NY. Students borrow a median of $10,536 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. More on Excelsior College
Out of the 2221 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, National University landed the #5 spot. Located in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $22,717. See the full National University profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,750. Graduates carry a median of $10,700 in student loans. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Flex profile
Northwest Iowa Community College did well this year, earning the #7 position. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public school based in Sheldon, IA. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $8,414. More on Northwest Iowa Community College
Columbia College Missouri landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbia, MO. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,276 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,309 in student loans. Read more about Columbia College Missouri
University Of Maryland University College placed #9 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. University Of Maryland University College is a public school based in Adelphi, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland University College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $14,375 in debt. Get the full University Of Maryland University College report
Anoka Ramsey Community College landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a public school based in Coon Rapids, MN. Students from in state pay about $5,682 in tuition and fees. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $12,943. More on Anoka Ramsey Community College
Mountwest Community And Technical College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Huntington, WV. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,938, while out-of-state students pay about $12,304. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read more about Mountwest Community And Technical College
St Cloud Technical And Community College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $15,111. Read the full report on St Cloud Technical And Community College
Northland Community And Technical College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Thief River Falls, MN, Northland Community And Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,289. Graduates carry a median of $14,875 in student loans. See the full Northland Community And Technical College profile
Johnson County Community College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Graduates carry a median of $9,700 in student loans. Get the full Johnson County Community College report
Central Texas College landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Central Texas College is a public school based in Killeen, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $8,400. See the full Central Texas College profile
Century College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Century College is a public school based in White Bear Lake, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,214. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $14,264. See the full Century College profile
Rochester Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Rochester, MN, Rochester Community And Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Rochester Community And Technical College
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Oshkosh, WI, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates 54% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $21,532. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh report
Edison State College placed #19 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Fort Myers, FL. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Get the full Edison State College report
Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #20 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Wellesley Hills, MA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Massachusetts Bay Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $8,750 in debt. Read the full report on Massachusetts Bay Community College
Normandale Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Bloomington, MN, Normandale Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. Graduates carry a median of $12,778 in student loans. See the full Normandale Community College profile
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $23,011. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Macomb Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Based in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. More on Macomb Community College
El Centro College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. This public school is set in Dallas, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. El Centro College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $11,000 in debt. Read more about El Centro College
North Hennepin Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Brooklyn Park, MN, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. North Hennepin Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $13,830 in debt. Get the full North Hennepin Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Collin County Community College District placed #26 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Set in McKinney, TX, Collin County Community College District is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Collin County Community College District Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $9,250 in debt. See the full Collin County Community College District profile
Northern Virginia Community College placed #27 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Northern Virginia Community College is a public school based in Annandale, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $10,875. Read more about Northern Virginia Community College
South Texas College landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Set in McAllen, TX, South Texas College is a public institution. South Texas College posts a six-year graduation rate of 20%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $7,500. Get the full South Texas College report
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Located in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $16,708 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Dakota College At Bottineau did well this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Bottineau, ND, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,388, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $11,500. More on Dakota College At Bottineau
Austin Community College District came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Austin Community College District is a public school based in Austin, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $15,000. More on Austin Community College District
Metropolitan Community College Area did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in Omaha, NE, Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Graduates carry a median of $10,214 in student loans. Read the full report on Metropolitan Community College Area
Harper College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Harper College is a public school based in Palatine, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $7,500. More on Harper College
Mesa Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. This public school is set in Mesa, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Mesa Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $10,500 in debt. Get the full Mesa Community College report
Hillsborough Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Based in Tampa, FL, Hillsborough Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. See the full Hillsborough Community College profile
Northern Maine Community College placed #36 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Presque Isle, ME. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,013 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. Read the full report on Northern Maine Community College
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in Springfield, IL, Lincoln Land Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $11,022. See the full Lincoln Land Community College profile
Cuyahoga Community College District did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Cleveland, OH, Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. See the full Cuyahoga Community College District profile
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Chandler, AZ, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. See the full Chandler Gilbert Community College profile
Baltimore City Community College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Baltimore, MD, Baltimore City Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,314 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. The median Liberal Arts And General Studies program debt is $8,850. Get the full Baltimore City Community College report
Winona State University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Winona State University is a public school based in Winona, MN. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,062 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. See the full Winona State University profile
Bismarck State College placed #42 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Located in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full Bismarck State College report
St Petersburg College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Located in St. Petersburg, FL, St Petersburg College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $13,699 to complete their Liberal Arts And General Studies program here. See the full St Petersburg College profile
Lone Star College System placed #44 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Lone Star College System is a public school based in The Woodlands, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Graduates carry a median of $9,689 in student loans. See the full Lone Star College System profile
Wayland Baptist University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Wayland Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Plainview, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 19%. In-state tuition and fees average $23,782. Typical Liberal Arts And General Studies student debt is $24,258. Read the full report on Wayland Baptist University
Union University placed #46 among Liberal Arts And General Studies schools in the United States. Set in Jackson, TN, Union University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,398. Union University Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $20,000 in debt. More on Union University
Bellevue College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Bellevue, WA. Students from in state pay about $4,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Bellevue College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $9,598 in debt. More on Bellevue College
Inver Hills Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. Set in Inver Grove Heights, MN, Inver Hills Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Inver Hills Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $14,575 in debt. Get the full Inver Hills Community College report
Mclennan Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Liberal Arts And General Studies schools. This public school is set in Waco, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Mclennan Community College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $12,843 in debt. Read more about Mclennan Community College
Bluegrass Community And Technical College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a public school based in Lexington, KY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Bluegrass Community And Technical College Liberal Arts And General Studies students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Read more about Bluegrass Community And Technical College
Related Liberal Arts And General Studies Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Liberal Arts And General Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (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 2221 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.