by our College Data Analytics TeamFor the student who has a broad interest in many different areas, a major in Liberal Arts and General Studies may be for you.
This major will not put you on a specific career track; rather you will become skilled in many different areas such as reading, writing, research and critical thinking. You will build a broad education base and will learn skills that will become accessible in any career. Students may be able to choose a concentration where they can delve into a particular subject that interests them. Examples of this would include the humanities, natural sciences, or the social sciences.
Some courses you may take with this major include: biology, biological concepts, foreign language, English literature, environmental science, social and political movements, music history, mathematics, art, introduction to theater, fundamentals of economics, psychology, and religion.
A degree in Liberal Arts General Studies explores Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities. Continue reading for the key facts every liberal arts general studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering liberal arts general studies programs.
Nationwide, liberal arts general studies is a popular field of study, with 540,324 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 2,050 schools to determine the best overall colleges for liberal arts general studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of liberal arts general studies programs later in this article.
This is a very interdisciplinary subject. You will be asked to be self-disciplined and work hard to accomplish all of your assignments. Not only will you be engaging in various subjects at the same time, but you will also make connections between different subjects. Curiosity and an open mind are critical as you will regularly delve into new content. By experiencing an abundance of courses you will determine what you enjoy and shape your focus.
It is also important that you are able to work with people. You will be asked to participate in class discussions and work with your peers for group projects. This will let you to gain different perspectives and will also sharpen your oral communication skills. Reading and writing skills will also be improved. You should be ready to do a lot of reading and write a lot of research papers and response journals.
There are several liberal arts general studies 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 |
With a degree in Liberal Arts and General Studies your career opportunities will seem endless. You will learn many important skills while in school that can transfer to just about any career. One option is to go to graduate school to obtain a Master's in business, law or education. You can also go right into the work force and work in advertising, business, marketing, project management, journalism, or public relations.
The career opportunities are vast. Salary will depend greatly upon what career you choose and how much effort you are willing to put in as an undergrad developing your skills.
Studying liberal arts general studies prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to liberal arts general studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to liberal arts general studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of liberal arts general studies 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 general studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers liberal arts general studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
With 2,050 different liberal arts general studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased liberal arts general studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering liberal arts general studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies | 344,220 |
| General Studies | 127,908 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other | 45,889 |
| Humanities/Humanistic Studies | 22,307 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
