by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2,057 U.S. colleges awarded 549,365 degrees and certificates in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 67% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1,551 schools in its 2027 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $32,173 one year after completing, rising to $46,857 after four years.
Students 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, liberal arts / sciences & humanities is a popular field of study, with 549,365 degrees awarded annually. 2,057 colleges award liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees, an average of 267 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 8,774.
By level, the 549,365 awards include 113,725 certificates, 368,542 associate degrees, 37,442 bachelor’s degrees, 29,492 master’s degrees and 116 doctorates.
Women earned 62% of liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees and certificates in the latest year (342,470 of 549,365). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (237,697) and Hispanic or Latino (158,289), and international students earned 11,810.
College Factual ranks 1,551 schools in its 2027 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools ranking, including 1,133 for associate degrees, 484 for bachelor’s degrees, 37 for master’s degrees and 2 for doctorates. It also ranks liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools within 52 states. In all, 2,057 colleges offer liberal arts / sciences & humanities programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common liberal arts / sciences & humanities credential is the associate degree: 368,542 of the 549,365 awarded in the latest year.
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.
How long a liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 113,725 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 368,542 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 37,442 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 29,492 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 116 |
1 occupations are related to Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities, with an average median salary of $68,967. Typical job titles include Survey Research Teacher, Foreign Service Teacher, Military Science Teacher and University Teacher.
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.
The occupation related to liberal arts / sciences & humanities with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates earn a median $32,173 one year after completing their program, $46,857 after four years and $43,964 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,173 |
| 4 years | $46,857 |
| 5 years | $43,964 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to liberal arts / sciences & humanities, with a median salary of $68,967.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (549,365). Browse the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 549,365 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
