by our College Data Analytics TeamStudents with a love of learning and a curiosity for many different subjects may choose to study in the field of Liberal Arts & Sciences. This field can be tailored to suit your specific interests. You will work with your advisors to determine the theme of your courses.
A major in this field will not prepare you specifically for one career path; rather the focus is on a broad, interdisciplinary education. Students will learn skills such as critical thinking, reading, and writing. Classes in history, English, math and science will give you a well-rounded education. Graduates will have transferrable skills they can bring to a variety of careers.
A major in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities explores Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities. General Instructional Programs And Independent Or Individualized Studies In The Liberal Arts Subjects, The Humanities Disciplines And The General Curriculum. Read on to learn the key facts every liberal arts / sciences & humanities student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering liberal arts / sciences & humanities programs.
Across the country, liberal arts / sciences & humanities is a popular field of study, with 540,324 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools ranking analyzes these 2,050 schools to determine the best overall colleges for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of liberal arts / sciences & humanities programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills for this major is to be an independent and self-motivated student. You will work with your advisor to create a graduation plan. You may be required to do an independent study under the guidance of a professor. Another important trait is a passion for learning. This should transfer to all your classes and will help you succeed. If you enjoy what you are doing, it will be much easier to complete the work accompanied with the class.
Your courses will likely contain a lot of reading and writing assignments; it's important to manage your time effectively so you can complete all your coursework. Many of these classes will be discussion based, allowing you to hear many different perspectives while also helping to develop your speaking and critical thinking skills.
This major gives you many skills employers desire: critical thinking, broad-based knowledge, and effective communication skills to name a few. However, students will have to take the initiative to discover a career path that interests them, gain experience and pursue a job in that field.
There are several liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 114,608 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 363,119 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 38,260 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 24,160 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 141 |
There are a variety of career opportunities with a degree in liberal arts, general studies, or humanities. You will be prepared to work in fields such as advertising, marketing, editing, business, or even the government. However, you can also go to graduate school and further your degree in academia, business, law, or even medicine. Your skills can be transferred to many different areas because you spent your time as an undergraduate learning how to think, read, and write effectively.
Your job opportunities are endless so the salaries will range depending on what career path you pursue.
Studying liberal arts / sciences & humanities opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to liberal arts / sciences & humanities.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to liberal arts / sciences & humanities.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,164 |
| 4 years | $37,934 |
| 5 years | $44,008 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers liberal arts / sciences & humanities grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
With 2,050 different liberal arts / sciences & humanities programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased liberal arts / sciences & humanities school rankings to help you.
Students interested in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 540,324 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
