General Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for students seeking a broad, interdisciplinary foundation, this program offers a flexible academic pathway that integrates core principles across multiple fields of study. It supports learners who wish to explore diverse intellectual areas before committing to a specialized major or pursuing advanced work in a related field.
- General Arts: Explores foundational concepts in literature, visual and performing arts, philosophy, and cultural expression to develop critical thinking and creative insight.
- General Science: Provides a comprehensive overview of scientific inquiry, covering principles from biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences to build analytical and evidence-based reasoning skills.
- Interdisciplinary Studies: Encourages the integration of knowledge across traditional academic boundaries, fostering adaptable problem-solving and holistic understanding of complex issues.
- Core Academic Skills: Emphasizes the development of writing, research, quantitative reasoning, and communication abilities essential for success in higher education and professional environments.
General Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
General Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with General Studies degrees, including Postsecondary Teachers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 151,530 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other 25-1199 | $78,490 | $39,720 - $172,850 | 151,530 | N/A |
General Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,690 in Nevada to $135,380 in Hawaii—a 172% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, Nebraska, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 151,530 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for General Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering General Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in General Studies is found at Utah State University (USU) (5,436 graduates), Dallas College (5,426 graduates), Tarrant County College District (TCCD) (4,283 graduates), Utah Valley University (UVU) (3,612 graduates), and Southern Utah University (SUU) (2,448 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 90,858 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah State University (USU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
5,436 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Dallas College |
Associate's
|
5,426 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| Tarrant County College District (TCCD) |
Associate's
|
4,283 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | tccd.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
3,612 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Southern Utah University (SUU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
2,448 | Cedar City, Utah | Public | suu.edu |
| Utah Tech University (UT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2,365 | Saint George, Utah | Public | utahtech.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
|
2,263 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
2,020 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
| Northwest Vista College (NVC) |
Associate's
|
1,953 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| John C Calhoun State Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
1,807 | Tanner, Alabama | Public | calhoun.edu |
| San Antonio College (SAC) |
Associate's
|
1,681 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
|
1,623 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
1,601 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
1,515 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
1,442 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | solacc.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Associate's
|
1,390 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Arizona Western College (AWC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
1,346 | Yuma, Arizona | Public | azwestern.edu |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
1,323 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| San Jacinto Community College |
Associate's
|
1,318 | Pasadena, Texas | Public | sanjac.edu |
| Henry Ford College (HFC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
1,315 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | hfcc.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
1,262 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| Jackson College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
1,233 | Jackson, Michigan | Public | jccmi.edu |
| South Texas College (STC) |
Associate's
|
1,107 | McAllen, Texas | Public | southtexascollege.edu |
| Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) |
Associate's
|
1,075 | McKinney, Texas | Public | collin.edu |
| Laredo College |
Associate's
|
1,073 | Laredo, Texas | Public | laredo.edu |
| Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
985 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | mybrcc.edu |
| Palo Alto College (PAC) |
Associate's
|
975 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) |
Associate's
|
950 | Warwick, Rhode Island | Public | ccri.edu |
| Suffolk County Community College (SUNY) |
Associate's
|
950 | Selden, New York | Public | sunysuffolk.edu |
| Northeast Lakeview College (NLC) |
Associate's
|
942 | Universal City, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
931 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
911 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| Austin Peay State University (APSU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
815 | Clarksville, Tennessee | Public | apsu.edu |
| Blinn College District |
Associate's
|
807 | Brenham, Texas | Public | blinn.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
804 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Hinds Community College |
Associate's
|
800 | Raymond, Mississippi | Public | hindscc.edu |
| North Idaho College (NIC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
790 | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Public | nic.edu |
| Delgado Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
790 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | dcc.edu |
| Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) |
Associate's
|
760 | Annandale, Virginia | Public | nvcc.edu |
| Yavapai College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
723 | Prescott, Arizona | Public | yc.edu |
| Macomb Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
716 | Warren, Michigan | Public | macomb.edu |
| Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) |
Associate's
|
699 | Wharton, Texas | Public | wcjc.edu |
| Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
675 | Wadley, Alabama | Public | suscc.edu |
| Texas Southmost College (TSC) |
Associate's
|
671 | Brownsville, Texas | Public | tsc.edu |
| Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
657 | Bossier City, Louisiana | Public | bpcc.edu |
| Lane Community College |
Associate's
|
652 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | lanecc.edu |
| North Central Texas College (NCTC) |
Associate's
|
651 | Gainesville, Texas | Public | nctc.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
|
624 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Snead State Community College (SSCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
604 | Boaz, Alabama | Public | snead.edu |
| Central Texas College (CTC) |
Associate's
|
600 | Killeen, Texas | Public | ctcd.edu |
| Golden West College (GWC) |
Other Award
|
558 | Huntington Beach, California | Public | goldenwestcollege.edu |
| Tyler Junior College (TJC) |
Associate's
|
552 | Tyler, Texas | Public | tjc.edu |
| Southwest Texas Junior College (SWTJC) |
Associate's
|
532 | Uvalde, Texas | Public | swtjc.edu |
| Tidewater Community College (TCC) |
Associate's
|
520 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | tcc.edu |
| Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
503 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | occc.edu |
| St Philip's College |
Associate's
|
490 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| South Plains College |
Associate's
|
485 | Levelland, Texas | Public | southplainscollege.edu |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC) |
Associate's
|
481 | Senatobia, Mississippi | Public | northwestms.edu |
| Weatherford College (WC) |
Associate's
|
474 | Weatherford, Texas | Public | wc.edu |
| Howard Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
|
465 | Columbia, Maryland | Public | howardcc.edu |
| Kilgore College |
Associate's
|
449 | Kilgore, Texas | Public | kilgore.edu |
| Ocean County College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
445 | Toms River, New Jersey | Public | ocean.edu |
| Pierpont Community and Technical College (PCTC) |
Associate's
|
436 | Fairmont, West Virginia | Public | pierpont.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Associate's
|
429 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| Palomar College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
426 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| Odessa College |
Associate's
|
424 | Odessa, Texas | Public | odessa.edu |
| New Mexico State University |
Associate's
|
421 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | dacc.nmsu.edu |
| Coastal Alabama Community College |
Associate's
|
417 | Bay Minette, Alabama | Public | coastalalabama.edu |
| Columbia College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
411 | Columbia, Missouri | Private | ccis.edu |
| Northeast Mississippi Community College (NEMCC) |
Associate's
|
410 | Booneville, Mississippi | Public | nemcc.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
406 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| Mott Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
404 | Flint, Michigan | Public | mcc.edu |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) |
Associate's
|
377 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | pikespeak.edu |
| Fletcher Technical Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
375 | Schriever, Louisiana | Public | fletcher.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
367 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Louisiana State University (LSUE) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
361 | Eunice, Louisiana | Public | lsue.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Associate's
|
361 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| George C Wallace Community College (WCCD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
358 | Dothan, Alabama | Public | wallace.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Associate's
|
355 | Newark, Ohio | Public | newark.osu.edu |
| University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Bachelor's
|
354 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
| Alvin Community College (ACC) |
Associate's
|
354 | Alvin, Texas | Public | alvincollege.edu |
| Arkansas State University (ASU-Beebe) |
Associate's
|
347 | Beebe, Arkansas | Public | asub.edu |
| Amarillo College |
Associate's
|
342 | Amarillo, Texas | Public | actx.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNO) |
Bachelor's
|
338 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unomaha.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Associate's
|
337 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| Coconino Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
335 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | coconino.edu |
| Jefferson State Community College (JSCC) |
Associate's
|
326 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | jeffersonstate.edu |
| Navarro College |
Associate's
|
325 | Corsicana, Texas | Public | navarrocollege.edu |
| Monroe Community College |
Associate's
|
323 | Rochester, New York | Public | monroecc.edu |
| Cisco College |
Associate's
|
322 | Cisco, Texas | Public | cisco.edu |
| Snow College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
322 | Ephraim, Utah | Public | snow.edu |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
321 | Natchitoches, Louisiana | Public | nsula.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Associate's
|
320 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
318 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Temple College |
Associate's
|
301 | Temple, Texas | Public | templejc.edu |
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
299 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
| Georgia Military College (GMC) |
Associate's
|
297 | Milledgeville, Georgia | Public | gmc.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
296 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAFS) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
295 | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Public | uafs.edu |
| Midland College |
Associate's
|
295 | Midland, Texas | Public | midland.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about General Studies programs
How much can I earn with a General Studies degree?
Salaries for General Studies graduates vary by role and location. Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn a median of $78,490 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $135,380 compared to $49,690 in Nevada. Approximately 151,530 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest General Studies programs?
Currently 833 accredited institutions offer General Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Utah State University (USU) (5,436 graduates), Dallas College (5,426 graduates), and Tarrant County College District (TCCD) (4,283 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in General Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 65,302 in 2010 to a peak of 133,648 in 2020, before declining slightly to 127,908 in 2023-24. This represents a 96% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a General Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Postsecondary Teachers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 151,530 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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