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Liberal Arts

HUMANITIES Specialization

Liberal Arts

Most Liberal Arts programs take two years to complete. Graduates start earning $36,796 right after finishing, climbing to $53,072 four years out.

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About Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts is a specialized field of study. Graduates typically earn around $53,072 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 2,214 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 511,953 students complete this program each year, most earning a associate's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $36,796
Median Earnings · 4yr: $53,072
Colleges Offering: 2,214
Graduates / Year: 511,953
Avg Net Price / yr: $9,100

How Much Do Liberal Arts Graduates Earn?

Liberal Arts graduates earn $53,072 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,750 and $73,322. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $36,796 climbs to $53,072 by year four.

$36,796

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$53,072

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$52,547

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Liberal Arts graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$35,750 25th pct.

$53,072 Median

$73,322 75th pct.

Why This Program Pays Off Fast

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.

Based on outcomes from 1,204 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 511,953 students who complete Liberal Arts programs each year, the majority (73%) earn a associate's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

73%

Associate's 73%

Certificate 19%

Bachelor's 8%

Top Colleges for Liberal Arts

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Liberal Arts students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN · Public	7,005	Open	$7,258	$37,186
2	Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CA · Public	4,896	Open	$4,152	$50,874
3	Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX · Public	4,102	Open	$4,337	$42,727
4	Golden West College Huntington Beach, CA · Public	2,954	Open	$4,824	$43,145
5	Irvine Valley College Irvine, CA · Public	2,801	Open	$2,090	$49,156
6	Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT · Public	2,472	81.8%	$10,462	$50,296
7	Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City Kansas City, MO · Public	2,403	Open	$8,398	$40,796
8	Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit	2,354	99.5%	$36,708	$50,318
9	Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills, CA · Public	2,154	Open	$13,270	$44,521
10	Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UT · Public	2,131	Open	$9,804	$47,867
11	Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CA · Public	2,056	Open	$7,203	$47,348
12	Portland Community College Portland, OR · Public	2,053	Open	$10,405	$44,592
13	Ventura College Ventura, CA · Public	2,035	Open	$-982	$43,430
14	William Rainey Harper College Palatine, IL · Public	2,011	Open	$11,607	$48,071
15	Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NM · Public	1,929	Open	$4,621	$36,869
16	Georgia State University-Perimeter College Atlanta, GA · Public	1,917	90.8%	$11,453	$47,384
17	Pima Community College Tucson, AZ · Public	1,872	Open	$3,405	$39,810
18	College of Lake County Grayslake, IL · Public	1,852	Open	$7,607	$43,424
19	Los Angeles Harbor College Wilmington, CA · Public	1,791	Open	$13,250	$41,133
20	Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CA · Public	1,752	Open	$12,124	$46,047

View all colleges

Ranked by Liberal Arts graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools 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 shows 2 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $36,796 at graduation to $53,072 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Wide availability Offered at 2,214 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $53,072 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Highly competitive market 511,953 students graduate from this program every year, one of the higher volumes nationally. Entry-level competition can be stiff.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($35,750) and 75th ($73,322) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

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 program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,750 and $73,322. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Liberal Arts degree?

One year after graduation, Liberal Arts degree holders earn a median of $36,796. That climbs to $53,072 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

How long does a Liberal Arts program take?

A Liberal Arts associate degree typically takes two years full-time at a community college. Many students transfer to a four-year university afterward to complete a bachelor's.

How many colleges offer Liberal Arts?

2,214 colleges and universities in the United States offer Liberal Arts programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Liberal Arts degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $53,072 and an average net price of roughly $9,100/yr, a Liberal Arts degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What skills do employers look for in Liberal Arts graduates?

Employers hiring Liberal Arts graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.