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 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send liberal arts and general studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for highest-paid liberal arts and general studies graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of about $73,422 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned it the #2 place for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse typically earn about $55,075 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Marion Technical College one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Marion Technical College make a median of around $57,300 per year.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,620.
Strong graduate earnings at Kankakee Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts and general studies. Kankakee Community College is a public school located in the city of Kankakee. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Kankakee Community College make a median of around $45,689 per year.
Nicolet Area Technical College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,077.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #7 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of about $46,347 a year early in their careers.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #8 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville typically earn about $43,602 annually.
Xavier University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Xavier University make a median of around $61,535 per year.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,897.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #11 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public school located in the city of Springfield. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,005.
Northwest State Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Northwest State Community College earn a median of about $41,703 a year early in their careers.
Saint Xavier University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier 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 $52,042.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #14 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University typically earn about $67,148 annually.
Lincoln Land Community College earned the #15 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Springfield. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,528.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #16 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $41,770 a year early in their careers.
Columbus State Community College placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Columbus State Community College make a median of around $40,452 per year.
University Of Indianapolis earned the #18 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis 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 $60,437.
College Of Dupage earned the #19 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. College Of Dupage is a public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from College Of Dupage make a median of around $56,318 per year.
Depaul University earned the #20 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of about $86,015 a year early in their careers.
Oakland Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland 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 $42,546.
College Of Lake County placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of about $48,288 a year early in their careers.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #23 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College make a median of around $42,475 per year.
Sauk Valley Community College earned the #24 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Sauk Valley Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Dixon. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Sauk Valley Community College earn a median of about $38,878 a year early in their careers.
Lake Superior State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Lake Superior State University typically earn about $46,524 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid liberal arts and general studies ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 100 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.