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Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

249 Colleges
$24,682 Avg Salary
$12,147 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree School for You

In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees and certificates were awarded to liberal arts general studies students, making the major the most popular in the country.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 249 schools in the Southeast Region to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for liberal arts majors pursuing a associate degree.

Top 25 Top Southeast Region Schools for an Associate in Liberal Arts General Studies

Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the best school in the Southeast Region for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at American Military University accumulate an average of around $10,159 in student debt.

Read More…

#2

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Columbia Southern University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Columbia Southern University is a large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Orange Beach.

Liberal Arts majors at Columbia Southern University take out an average of $21,013 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia Southern University Report

The excellent associate degree programs at Mountwest Community and Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools in the Southeast Region . MCTC is a small public school located in the midsize suburb of Huntington.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from MCTC carry an average student debtload of $13,273.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Mountwest Community and Technical College

The excellent associate degree programs at Florida SouthWestern State College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools in the Southeast Region . FSW is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Fort Myers.

Liberal Arts majors at FSW take out an average of $10,213 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Florida SouthWestern State College

Out of the 249 schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Virginia Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Northern Virginia Community College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $15,313.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Northern Virginia Community College

Hillsborough Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. HCC is a large public school located in the large city of Tampa.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at HCC accumulate an average of around $14,800 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $114.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Hillsborough Community College Report

#7

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, FL

St Petersburg College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Clearwater, SPC is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at SPC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $17,385.

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#8

Union University

Jackson, TN

With a ranking of #8, Union University did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Jackson, Union is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Union University Report

Bluegrass Community and Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the large city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Liberal Arts majors at Bluegrass Community and Technical College take out an average of $16,168 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Bluegrass Community and Technical College Report

#10

Troy University

Troy, AL

Troy University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. TROY is a large public school located in the remote town of Troy.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at TROY accumulate an average of around $27,550 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Troy University Report

#11

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Indian River State College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Indian River State College accumulate an average of around $9,976 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Indian River State College

South Piedmont Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. South Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Polkton.

Liberal Arts majors at South Piedmont Community College take out an average of $11,068 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at South Piedmont Community College Report

#13

Saint Leo University

Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the suburb of Saint Leo, St. Leo University is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at St. Leo University take out while working on their Associate Degree is $28,065.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Saint Leo University Report

Seminole State College of Florida ranked #14 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the small city of Sanford, Seminole State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Liberal Arts majors at Seminole State take out an average of $13,032 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Seminole State College of Florida Report

#15

Daytona State College

Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona State College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the small city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a public college with a large student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Daytona State College take out $12,095 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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#16

Polk State College

Winter Haven, FL

Polk State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in the small city of Winter Haven, Polk State is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Polk State accumulate an average of around $12,267 in student debt.

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Wake Technical Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the large suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Wake Technical Community College carry an average student debtload of $15,100.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Wake Technical Community College

University of Central Florida landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. UCF is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Orlando.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Central Florida Report

#19

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, GA

University of North Georgia ranked #19 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the distant town of Dahlonega, UNG is a public school with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at UNG take out while working on their Associate Degree is $14,469.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at University of North Georgia Report

#20

Eastern Mennonite University

Harrisonburg, VA

With a ranking of #20, Eastern Mennonite University did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Eastern Mennonite is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Harrisonburg.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Eastern Mennonite University

University of Louisiana at Monroe came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the small city of Monroe, ULM is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from ULM take out $18,998 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Louisiana at Monroe Report

Eastern Florida State College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. EFSC is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Cocoa.

On average, liberal arts graduates from EFSC take out $12,896 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Eastern Florida State College Report

With a ranking of #23, Alamance Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the rural area of Graham, ACC is a public college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at ACC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $9,821.

Read More…

Jefferson Community and Technical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community and Technical College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from Jefferson Community and Technical College carry an average student debtload of $18,987.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Jefferson Community and Technical College Report

Coastal Alabama Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the town of Bay Minette, Coastal Alabama Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Coastal Alabama Community College take out $11,487 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read More…

Rest of the Top Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

#30

Valencia College

Orlando, FL
#31

Shorter University

Rome, GA
#36

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, NC

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
38 Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg, SC
39 The College of the Florida Keys Key West, FL
40 Chipola College Marianna, FL
41 Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL
42 Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Hudson, NC
43 Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FL
44 Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NC
45 Miami Dade College Miami, FL
46 Lord Fairfax Community College Middletown, VA
47 Gateway Community and Technical College Florence, KY
48 Lenoir Community College Kinston, NC
49 Tallahassee Community College Tallahassee, FL

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges by State

Explore the best liberal arts general studies colleges for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
Georgia 7,724
Virginia 9,302
North Carolina 18,234
Florida 64,444
Tennessee 10,186
Kentucky 6,493
South Carolina 4,243
Louisiana 2,864
Arkansas 5,205
Alabama 5,890
Mississippi 5,696
West Virginia 3,558

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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