HUMANITIES
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HUMANITIES
Liberal Arts
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Liberal Arts
A broad foundation across writing, history, social science, and the arts — a flexible entry point into graduate school, business, or public service. Graduates earn a national median of $53,072 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 2,214 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 511,953 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $36,796
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $53,072
- Colleges Offering
- 2,214
- Graduates / Year
- 511,953
- Specializations
- 1
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $9,100
Is a Liberal Arts Degree Right for You?
$53,072
Median earnings · 4yr
1
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~1.6
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $53,072 against an estimated $36,400 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Liberal Arts Majors Earn?
Liberal Arts graduates start at a median $36,796 one year out and reach $53,072 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 2,214 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$36,796
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$53,072
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$52,547
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Liberal Arts Specializations
Liberal Arts spans 1 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $53,072 to $53,072 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Liberal Arts
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Liberal Arts graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$7,258
Earnings 10yr
$37,186
Grad rate
15%
2
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$4,152
Earnings 10yr
$50,874
Grad rate
19%
3
Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$4,337
Earnings 10yr
$42,727
Grad rate
19%
4
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$4,824
Earnings 10yr
$43,145
Grad rate
20%
5
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$2,090
Earnings 10yr
$49,156
Grad rate
18%
6
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT · Public
Acceptance
81.8%
Net price/yr
$10,462
Earnings 10yr
$50,296
Grad rate
42%
7
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
Kansas City, MO · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$8,398
Earnings 10yr
$40,796
Grad rate
18%
8
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99.5%
Net price/yr
$36,708
Earnings 10yr
$50,318
Grad rate
30%
9
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$13,270
Earnings 10yr
$44,521
Grad rate
10%
10
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$9,804
Earnings 10yr
$47,867
Grad rate
20%
11
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$7,203
Earnings 10yr
$47,348
Grad rate
19%
12
Portland Community College
Portland, OR · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$10,405
Earnings 10yr
$44,592
Grad rate
15%
13
Ventura College
Ventura, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$-982
Earnings 10yr
$43,430
Grad rate
17%
14
William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, IL · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$11,607
Earnings 10yr
$48,071
Grad rate
21%
15
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$4,621
Earnings 10yr
$36,869
Grad rate
23%
16
Georgia State University-Perimeter College
Atlanta, GA · Public
Acceptance
90.8%
Net price/yr
$11,453
Earnings 10yr
$47,384
Grad rate
34%
17
Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$3,405
Earnings 10yr
$39,810
Grad rate
19%
18
College of Lake County
Grayslake, IL · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$7,607
Earnings 10yr
$43,424
Grad rate
22%
19
Los Angeles Harbor College
Wilmington, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$13,250
Earnings 10yr
$41,133
Grad rate
10%
20
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$12,124
Earnings 10yr
$46,047
Grad rate
19%
Ranked by number of Liberal Arts graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Liberal Arts Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Liberal Arts degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Liberal Arts degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Liberal Arts Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Liberal Arts tells a mixed story. Measurable strengths offset by real trade-offs. All 4 points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, and IPEDS graduate counts. No editorial opinion applied.
PROS
- Wide availability Offered at 2,214 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $36,796 at graduation to $53,072 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
- Modest median earnings Four-year median of $53,072 lags behind many STEM and business fields, which can affect ROI at higher-cost programs.
- Highly competitive job market Approximately 511,953 students graduate in this field each year, one of the highest volumes among all majors.
Liberal Arts Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Liberal Arts graduates earn?
Liberal Arts graduates earn a national median of $53,072 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Liberal Arts degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Liberal Arts degree holders is $36,796 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
How many colleges offer Liberal Arts?
2,214 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Liberal Arts, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Liberal Arts degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $53,072 and an average net price of roughly $9,100/yr across institutions offering this major, a Liberal Arts degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Liberal Arts degree?
A bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Liberal Arts graduates?
Employers hiring Liberal Arts graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, research, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
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