by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts And General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their liberal arts and general studies graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 32 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.
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Austin the top school for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings in the United States. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $94,745 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Georgetown University one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Georgetown University typically earn about $93,541 annually.
Stony Brook University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,884.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Norman. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $69,298 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $62,349 a year early in their careers.
University Of Denver earned the #6 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from University Of Denver make a median of around $64,360 per year.
Tennessee Technological University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Tennessee Technological University is a public school located in the town of Cookeville. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $63,938 a year early in their careers.
Duke University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of about $80,039 a year early in their careers.
Depaul University came in at #9 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Depaul University typically earn about $62,334 annually.
Fort Hays State University landed the #10 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Fort Hays State University is a public school located in the town of Hays. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,651.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #11 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,147.
New York University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from New York University make a median of around $85,021 per year.
Southern Methodist University earned the #13 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Southern Methodist University typically earn about $58,574 annually.
University Of Memphis earned the #14 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from University Of Memphis make a median of around $60,703 per year.
Texas Christian University earned the #15 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Texas Christian University typically earn about $58,647 annually.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #16 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Middle Tennessee State University make a median of around $55,570 per year.
North Central College came in at #17 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from North Central College make a median of around $61,392 per year.
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #18 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Tulane University Of Louisiana make a median of around $53,585 per year.
Austin Peay State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,388.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #20 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,660.
Dallas Baptist University came in at #21 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Dallas Baptist University make a median of around $51,895 per year.
American Public University System ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of about $50,920 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University earned the #23 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Arizona State University make a median of around $63,909 per year.
Arizona State University Skysong placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,909.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #25 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school located in the city of Raleigh. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh typically earn about $48,700 annually.
These schools also send liberal arts and general studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Liberal Arts And General Studies rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their liberal arts and general studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 32 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.