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Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools

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2023 Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools

159 Colleges
$32,881 Avg Salary
$27,591 Avg Student Debt

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.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. This report analyzed 159 schools in the United States to see which ones were the most popular online bachelor's degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Colleges.

#1

Excelsior College

Albany, NY

Our analysis found Excelsior College to be the most popular school for liberal arts general studies students who want to pursue an online bachelor’s degree in the United States. Located in the city of Albany, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

About 50% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 50% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from Excelsior College carry an average student debtload of $17,489.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern New Hampshire University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. SNHU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the midsize suburb of Manchester.

Women make up 52% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from SNHU carry an average student debtload of $30,349.

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The in-demand online bachelor’s degree programs at Thomas Edison State University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools in the United States. Located in the small city of Trenton, TESU is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 56% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at TESU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $23,069.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Thomas Edison State University

The in-demand online bachelor’s degree programs at Brigham Young University - Idaho helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools in the United States. Located in the distant town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Of the 422 students majoring in liberal arts at BYU - I, 17% are male and 83% are female.

On average, liberal arts graduates from BYU - I take out $16,062 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Brigham Young University - Idaho Report

The in-demand online bachelor’s degree programs at Arizona State University - Skysong helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public school with a very large student population.

About 60% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 40% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts majors at ASU - Skysong accumulate an average of around $31,145 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 $240.

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#6

Columbia College

Columbia, MO

With a ranking of #6, Columbia College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their online bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Of the 356 students majoring in liberal arts at Columbia College Missouri, 49% are male and 51% are female.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from Columbia College Missouri carry an average student debtload of $31,039.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Columbia College Report

Fort Hays State University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the remote town of Hays, FHSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 64% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 36% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from FHSU carry an average student debtload of $30,324.

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University of Central Oklahoma did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular online places for liberal arts general studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the suburb of Edmond, UCO is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 224 students majoring in liberal arts at UCO, 38% are male and 63% are female.

On average, liberal arts graduates from UCO take out $29,898 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $132, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Central Oklahoma Report

#9

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

Ball State University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular online bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the small city of Muncie, Ball State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 57% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

Liberal Arts majors at Ball State take out an average of $27,750 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $151, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular online bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public school with a very large student population.

Of the 232 students majoring in liberal arts at USF Tampa, 41% are male and 59% are female.

Liberal Arts majors at USF Tampa take out an average of $30,477 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#11

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

East Carolina University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular online places for liberal arts general studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. ECU is a fairly large public school located in the city of Greenville.

Women make up 65% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

Liberal Arts majors at ECU take out an average of $29,394 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $172, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at East Carolina University Report

#12

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular online bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. GaSou is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Statesboro.

About 64% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 36% are male.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at GaSou take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $33,684. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $138.

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#13

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX

With a ranking of #13, Wayland Baptist University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts general studies students working on their online bachelor’s degree. Located in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

About 41% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 59% are male.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Wayland Baptist University take out $23,175 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Wayland Baptist University

#14

Charter Oak State College

New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular online bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Charter Oak State College is a small public school located in the large suburb of New Britain.

Of the 174 students majoring in liberal arts at Charter Oak State College, 36% are male and 64% are female.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Charter Oak State College take out $25,077 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Charter Oak State College Report

#15

Brandman University

Irvine, CA

Brandman University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular online bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the city of Irvine, Brandman is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

Of the 165 students majoring in liberal arts at Brandman, 15% are male and 85% are female.

Liberal Arts majors at Brandman take out an average of $29,737 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Brandman University Report

Western Illinois University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular online bachelor’s degree liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the town of Macomb, WIU is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

About 53% of the students majoring in liberal arts at the school are women while 47% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts majors at WIU accumulate an average of around $30,879 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $216, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Western Illinois University Report

#17

Morehead State University

Morehead, KY

Morehead State University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Morehead State University is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Morehead.

Women make up 67% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Morehead State University take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $30,576. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $125, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#18

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular online places for liberal arts general studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. WKU is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green.

Women make up 56% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from WKU carry an average student debtload of $31,037. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $179, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Western Kentucky University Report

University of North Carolina at Greensboro ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Greensboro, UNC Greensboro is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Of the 139 students majoring in liberal arts at UNC Greensboro, 26% are male and 74% are female.

On average, liberal arts graduates from UNC Greensboro take out $27,639 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $159.

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. NSU is a large public school located in the remote town of Natchitoches.

Women make up 70% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from NSU carry an average student debtload of $32,408.

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University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. UMKC is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City.

Of the 135 students majoring in liberal arts at UMKC, 36% are male and 64% are female.

Liberal Arts majors at UMKC take out an average of $32,000 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Missouri - Kansas City Report

#22

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular online places for liberal arts general studies students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the small city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Of the 132 students majoring in liberal arts at Southeast Missouri State University, 41% are male and 59% are female.

Liberal Arts majors at Southeast Missouri State University take out an average of $29,102 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $140.

Read More…

#23

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA

McNeese State University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. McNeese is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles.

Women make up 63% of the liberal arts majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, liberal arts graduates from McNeese carry an average student debtload of $27,524.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at McNeese State University

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for online Liberal Arts General Studies students that almost earned our Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
24 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
25 University of Maine at Augusta Augusta, ME
26 Clarion University of Pennsylvania Clarion, PA
27 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY
28 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
28 Texas A&M University - Commerce Commerce, TX
30 University of Missouri - St Louis Saint Louis, MO
30 Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL
30 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO

View the Most Popular Online Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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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