Is A General Studies Degree Worth It?

Upon enrolling in college, it’s common for students to be unsure about their major. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 80% of college students change their major during their degree process. For those who may feel uncertain about their major or career aspirations beyond college, then a general studies degree could be worth pursuing.

Whether you’ve heard of a general studies degree or not, the prospect of having a wide array of options may have sparked your interest. Let’s take a look at what a general studies degree entails and if it is worth it for you to attain.

What is a General Studies Degree?

A general studies degree is a broad program that tends to have limited required courses. It is purposely designed for students to have flexibility in choosing what classes they want to take. The goal is for students to try different subjects and gain a better understanding of what really interests them, all while earning a degree.

A general studies degree can lead to a student choosing a more specific bachelor’s degree to obtain. Even if this isn’t the outcome, it does provide an array of valuable skills, information, and educational experience to advance within a career.

For those who earn a general studies degree, it’s common to enter the following fields upon graduation:

• Non-profits or human resources
• Media
• Marketing
• Entertainment
• Sports and recreation
• Government or law enforcement
• Management

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Who Should Major in General Studies?

Not sure if a general studies degree is right for you? Here’s a list of some criteria that is the most fitting for those who select this degree:

• Need flexibility: There is a long list of reasons why students may need a flexible degree. For starters, students who are parents or active service members could require a tailored program. While online college is one of the best ways to obtain a degree that is flexible, the general studies major also offers freedom in that you can select your own courses for the most part.
• Want a college degree: Students with a college degree earn a higher salary and can open the door to more career opportunities. So, if you’re looking for career advancement in one of the aforementioned fields or you’d like to do some exploratory work that ends with a degree, general studies may be for you!
• Broad-based education: This degree is great for those who want to learn without having to be tied down to any specific subject, or for those who are not ready to decide on a major.

How Long Does it Take?

Like most bachelor’s degrees, a general studies bachelor’s typically requires 120 units to graduate. For full-time students, this takes roughly four years to complete. If you’ve already taken courses in higher education, you may be able to transfer credits and graduate sooner. Be sure to get in contact with your college of choice to check what’s acceptable.

How Much Does the Degree Cost?

The cost of education varies based on location and type of institution. In general, online degrees are more affordable than traditional on-campus tuition.

General studies degrees cost about $25,000 to $50,000 for tuition alone. It’s important to also take into consideration living costs, supplies, food, and whatever else you may need.

Although the costs seem high, you can always apply for government financial aid, scholarships, and grants.

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What Can You Do With a General Studies Degree?

While the degree is broad and flexible, it does teach necessary skills that are transferable to many different types of jobs. If a general studies degree is your first college degree, then you’re bound to learn critical thinking and analytical skills, communication skills, and hone your problem-solving abilities.

For people who are already working in a career, a general studies degree could provide you with a competitive advantage to land a promotion. The degree is also beneficial because it’s possible to study while working.

Here’s a look at some specific job titles that a general studies degree can help you acquire:

• Insurance agent: An insurance agent’s main duty is to sell insurance policies and provide customer service to existing clientele. No matter the type of agent (home, life, car, etc.), an insurance agent gains communication skills from a general studies degree. They can take marketing, business management, and risk management classes to hone their skills.
• Customer service representative: Customer service representatives exist in all industries to help assist customers by providing answers to questions or resolving issues. Verbal and written communication skills are important for this position, as is active listening skills. Some courses that bode well include: public relations, computer science, and behavioral economics.
• Advertising sales agent: Advertising sales agents sell ad space in media — digitally, on TV, for the radio, and in print publications. They must maintain healthy relationships with advertisers, provide cost estimations, and prepare persuasive reasons why advertisers should choose their platform. With all their duties, a general studies degree can offer a lot of knowledge. Some good classes to consider taking are marketing, writing composition, and media communications.
• General office clerks: While you don’t technically need a degree for most office clerk jobs, having an educational background in coursework like sociology, communications and accounting can augur well for this position. Office clerks have a broad scope of responsibilities that span from answering phones calls and scheduling meetings to processing bills.
• Event planner: Event planners coordinate various types of events from corporate conferences to private gatherings. They work with their clients and vendors to make sure that everything runs smoothly, from managing audio/visual, contracts with vendors, decorations and more. Most businesses and agencies that hire event planners require that they have a bachelor’s degree. For those who earn their general studies degree, it’s useful to take classes in: art and design, marketing, business management, ethnic studies, and law (for contracts).

The Bottom Line

Choosing what major to select in college is a big life decision. For some students who are unsure of what kind of career they want, a general studies degree could be the perfect solution. The broad based and flexible general studies degree is also a good idea for students who need to balance work and school.

For these reasons, a general studies degree may be totally worth it, but only you know what’s best for you!