by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts And General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose liberal arts and general studies graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in liberal arts and general studies, no school beat Lake Washington Institute Of Technology this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology make a median of around $57,162 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Seattle Community College North Campus one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Seattle Community College North Campus is a public school located in the city of Seattle. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Seattle Community College North Campus earn a median of about $50,310 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Northwest University one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,645.
Students chasing top earnings in liberal arts and general studies will find them at Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies earn a median of about $47,645 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Columbia Basin College one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Columbia Basin College make a median of around $46,687 per year.
Highline Community College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Highline Community College make a median of around $54,864 per year.
Bellevue College earned the #7 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Bellevue College is a public school located in the city of Bellevue. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Bellevue College typically earn about $52,321 annually.
Spokane Community College earned the #8 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,896.
Whitworth University came in at #9 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Whitworth University make a median of around $54,169 per year.
Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs came in at #10 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs typically earn about $54,169 annually.
Seattle University came in at #11 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,875.
Everett Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Everett Community College make a median of around $47,245 per year.
Antioch University Seattle placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the city of Seattle, Antioch University Seattle is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Antioch University Seattle typically earn about $48,020 annually.
Green River Community College earned the #14 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Green River Community College typically earn about $36,442 annually.
Cascadia Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Cascadia Community College earn a median of about $48,778 a year early in their careers.
South Puget Sound Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from South Puget Sound Community College make a median of around $45,233 per year.
Olympic College earned the #17 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Olympic College typically earn about $41,766 annually.
Lower Columbia College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Lower Columbia College earn a median of about $38,880 a year early in their careers.
Yakima Valley Community College earned the #19 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Yakima Valley Community College is a public school located in the city of Yakima. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Yakima Valley Community College make a median of around $44,658 per year.
Shoreline Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,408.
Washington State University earned the #21 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Washington State University typically earn about $46,521 annually.
Skagit Valley College placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of about $38,123 a year early in their careers.
Edmonds Community College placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Edmonds Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Lynnwood. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,896.
Tacoma Community College placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Tacoma Community College typically earn about $42,320 annually.
Spokane Falls Community College placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College typically earn about $38,980 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid liberal arts and general studies ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries liberal arts and general studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 39 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.