The Best Bachelor Degree Programs in General Studies
| School | Tuition* | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wyoming | $4747 | 96% | 60% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 2 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | $9063 | 80% | 70% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 3 | University of Nevada-Reno | $8184 | 88% | 61% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 4 | South Dakota State University | $9114 | 90% | 56% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 5 | University of North Dakota | $9736 | 81% | 61% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 6 | University of Mary Washington | $13270 | 75% | 65% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 7 | Rowan University | $14000 | 74% | 73% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 8 | University of Missouri-Columbia | $10477 | 81% | 71% | 89% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 9 | University of Idaho | $8304 | 78% | 56% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 10 | Wichita State University | $8299 | 92% | 50% | 89% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 11 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | $7701 | 85% | 56% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 12 | University of Toledo | $10187 | 96% | 50% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 13 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | $8568 | 74% | 63% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 14 | University of South Dakota | $9332 | 86% | 59% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 15 | Emporia State University | $6797 | 85% | 50% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 16 | University of Central Florida | $6368 | 44% | 72% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 17 | Eastern Connecticut State University | $11846 | 64% | 57% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 18 | Indiana University-Purdue Global-Indianapolis | $9701 | 81% | 50% | 89% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 19 | University of South Florida-Main Campus | $6410 | 48% | 75% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 20 | Texas Woman's University | $7926 | 93% | 43% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 21 | Northeastern State University | $6915 | 100% | 33% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 22 | Texas State University | $10581 | 81% | 54% | 76% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 23 | Arkansas State University-Main Campus | $8900 | 80% | 53% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 24 | McNeese State University | $8102 | 81% | 47% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 25 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | $8768 | 82% | 44% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit our ranking methodology page.
*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
The Bachelor of General Studies is among the most varied of degree programs. It offers a range of subject matter as well as freedom in academic approach. A few examples below illustrate how graduates apply their degree.
Essential Information
A Bachelor of General Studies degree program allows for personalized academic study. In these programs, students participate in coursework from a broad range of disciplines. Furthermore, those who have acquired coursework from multiple majors may use the general studies degree option to finish out the bachelor's degree program. Requirements for the some of the following careers include a high school diploma and undergraduate degrees with coursework in areas such as marketing, communications and psychology.
| Career Titles | Advertising Sales Agents | Management Analysts | Budget Analysts |
| Education Requirements | Variable; bachelor's degree with marketing, advertising or communications coursework | A bachelor's degree with coursework in marketing or management | A bachelor's degree with accounting, finance or business coursework |
| Projected Job Growth (2018-2028) | -2%* | 14%* | 4%* |
| Median Annual Salary (May 2018) | $51,740* | $83,610* | $76,220 * |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Options
Students who complete a Bachelor of General Studies program may have multiple career options. General studies students also learn about different communication styles used for professionals in nearly all fields, including the humanities, sciences and business. Students may also work with an advisor to design a curriculum that mirrors their career goals. While some careers could require additional education or training, graduates might go on to become advertising sales agents, management analysts or budget analysts.
Advertising Sales Agents
Advertising sales agents create promotional plans as well as sales and media kits in order to sell advertising space. They oversee business accounts and analyze target market areas. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that there would be negative job growth from 2018 through 2028 for these workers. Advertising sales agents had a median annual salary $51,740 as of May 2018.
Management Analysts
Management analysts work to enhance a corporation's level of efficiency. They provide counsel to company management and make procedural recommendations that are designed to increase profits. These workers are predicted to see a 14% increase in employment opportunities for the decade spanning 2018 through 2028, per the BLS. As of May 2018, management analysts earned a median annual salary of $83,610.
Budget Analysts
Budget analysts are responsible for monitoring the finances of corporations. They review spending to ensure that institutions stay within specified budgets. The BLS predicted that jobs for budget analysts would increase by 4% between 2018 and 2028. In May of 2018, the median annual salary for budget analysts was $76,220.
A Bachelor of General Studies degree program lets students craft their own curriculum and offers significant flexibility in choosing a career. Some occupations, such as management analyst, are growing rapidly, while growth is slower for budget analysts and declining for advertising sales agents.
