Best colleges for Liberal Arts and Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Liberal Arts and Sciences by graduate earnings are DePaul University ($84,066), Molloy University ($74,868) and Georgetown University ($66,719), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- DePaul University (Chicago, IL): $84,066, 26 graduates a year
- Molloy University (Rockville Centre, NY): $74,868, 33 graduates a year
- Georgetown University (Washington, DC): $66,719, 69 graduates a year
- Thomas More University (Crestview Hills, KY): $62,607, 31 graduates a year
- Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA): $62,470, 47 graduates a year
Compare 2,052 U.S. colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 59 states.
Liberal Arts and Sciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,917 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 24.01 and the Postsecondary Teachers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC).
About Liberal Arts and Sciences programs
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded academic experience that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication skills. It is ideal for those who wish to explore diverse fields of study rather than focus solely on vocational or technical training.
Students in this program engage with a wide range of subjects, including natural and formal sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Core coursework emphasizes analytical skills, cultural awareness, and ethical reasoning, preparing graduates for various intellectual pursuits and lifelong learning.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DePaul University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $84,066 | 26 | 68% | $28,141 | $42,350 |
| 2 | Molloy University Rockville Centre, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,868 | 33 | 70% | $25,812 | $31,000 |
| 3 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,719 | 69 | 95% | $22,242 | $25,000 |
| 4 | Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,607 | 31 | 40% | $18,902 | $29,358 |
| 5 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,470 | 47 | 78% | $36,004 | $27,154 |
| 6 | Yale University New Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,133 | 24 | 96% | $27,025 | $15,750 |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,436 | 345 | 48% | — | $11,000 |
| 8 | University of St Thomas Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,187 | 38 | 69% | $19,546 | $25,000 |
| 9 | Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,054 | 22 | 57% | $12,935 | $31,000 |
| 10 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,614 | 39 | 84% | $26,589 | $28,590 |
| 11 | Trinity Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,283 | 27 | 49% | $14,841 | $10,645 |
| 12 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,408 | 173 | 80% | — | $23,250 |
| 13 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,147 | 98 | 68% | — | $31,000 |
| 14 | Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,819 | 51 | 50% | $24,333 | $28,000 |
| 15 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,391 | 548 | 78% | — | $15,135 |
| 16 | Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,121 | 23 | 64% | $19,806 | $30,657 |
| 17 | Xavier University Cincinnati, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,064 | 44 | 69% | $31,119 | $23,250 |
| 18 | Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,820 | 22 | 53% | $19,485 | $26,000 |
| 19 | Longwood University Farmville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,714 | 41 | 61% | — | $25,375 |
| 20 | Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,654 | 37 | 47% | $22,639 | $33,291 |
| 21 | Antioch University - Los Angeles Culver City, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,487 | 29 | — | — | $29,832 |
| 22 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $103,135 | 8 | 96% | $11,666 | $11,935 |
| 23 | Champlain College Burlington, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $71,207 | 18 | 65% | $32,531 | $23,949 |
| 24 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $56,778 | 4 | 85% | — | $21,250 |
| 25 | Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $56,094 | 7 | 70% | $25,578 | $27,000 |
Top 12 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Certificate | $79,921 | 88 | 83% | — | $17,917 |
| 2 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree | $59,139 | 60 | 95% | $14,799 | $19,312 |
| 3 | Marion Technical College Marion, OH Public · Associate degree | $51,927 | 110 | 31% | — | $12,812 |
| 4 | Columbia College Columbia, MO Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $47,598 | 387 | 42% | $23,247 | $15,960 |
| 5 | Winona State University Winona, MN Public · Associate degree | $46,673 | 52 | 57% | — | $13,062 |
| 6 | Maria College of Albany Albany, NY Private not-for-profit · Associate degree Small program | $60,857 | 4 | 30% | $16,991 | — |
| 7 | Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, OK Public · Associate degree | $57,445 | 21 | 21% | — | $17,291 |
| 8 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL Private for-profit · Associate degree Online | $55,667 | 116 | 33% | $15,554 | $15,923 |
| 9 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV Private for-profit · Associate degree Online | $52,108 | 1,402 | 57% | $10,199 | $6,125 |
| 10 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MI Public · Certificate | $51,663 | 1,600 | 17% | — | $16,767 |
| 11 | Northwest University Kirkland, WA Private not-for-profit · Associate degree Small program | $47,645 | 1 | 71% | $21,433 | $12,000 |
| 12 | Northwest University - Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland, WA Private not-for-profit · Associate degree Small program | $47,645 | 7 | 50% | $26,831 | $12,000 |
Specializations within Liberal Arts and Sciences
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 24.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/CIP 24.0101
Liberal Studies 347,882 graduates / yr1,437 institutions58 states - General StudiesCIP 24.0102129,257 graduates / yr858 institutions53 states
- Liberal Arts and SciencesCIP 24.019952,613 graduates / yr380 institutions48 states
- Humanities/CIP 24.0103
Humanistic Studies 18,516 graduates / yr335 institutions43 states
Offered across 59 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1199, Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program can pursue a variety of career paths, although specific occupations may vary. The job outlook indicates little or no change in this field, with an annual opening of approximately 13,500 positions and a median wage of $78,490. A doctoral or professional degree is typically required for advancement.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Liberal Arts and Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 24.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 24.01 (Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities) maps to 1 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupation, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Otherprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program?+
The program focuses on providing a broad educational foundation across various disciplines, including sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
What kind of coursework can I expect?+
Students can expect coursework that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication skills.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 13,500 annual openings and a median wage of $78,490.
What level of education is typically required for advancement?+
A doctoral or professional degree is typically required for advancement in this field.
How much do Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates earn?+
Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,917, College Scorecard (2019); the Postsecondary Teachers, All Other occupation pays about $90,630 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Liberal Arts and Sciences?+
Liberal Arts and Sciences maps to CIP 24.01 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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