by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts And General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their liberal arts and general studies graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find where liberal arts and general studies graduates earn the most.
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.
Drexel University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid liberal arts and general studies graduates in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Drexel University typically earn about $68,119 annually.
Saint Josephs University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Saint Josephs University typically earn about $70,905 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in liberal arts and general studies will find them at Misericordia University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Misericordia University make a median of around $60,121 per year.
University Of Scranton produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from University Of Scranton make a median of around $56,970 per year.
Carnegie Mellon University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University typically earn about $53,183 annually.
Reading Area Community College came in at #6 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Reading Area Community College typically earn about $42,359 annually.
Manor College earned the #7 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Manor College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jenkintown. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,237.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $50,671 per year.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $62,349 per year.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #10 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Community College Of Philadelphia make a median of around $44,136 per year.
Mercyhurst College came in at #11 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Mercyhurst College make a median of around $37,195 per year.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of about $46,887 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #13 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,887.
Villanova University landed the #14 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Villanova University typically earn about $75,378 annually.
Neumann University earned the #15 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Aston, Neumann University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Neumann University make a median of around $59,746 per year.
Delaware County Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County 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 $43,375.
Eastern University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Eastern University earn a median of about $42,823 a year early in their careers.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,566.
Montgomery County Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College typically earn about $43,660 annually.
Bucks County Community College came in at #20 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of about $45,144 a year early in their careers.
Community College Of Allegheny County ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County typically earn about $40,767 annually.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Johnstown. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College typically earn about $37,893 annually.
Community College Of Beaver County came in at #23 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Community College Of Beaver County is a public school located in the suburb of Monaca. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Community College Of Beaver County earn a median of about $33,593 a year early in their careers.
Luzerne County Community College earned the #24 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of about $35,106 a year early in their careers.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #25 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,328.
These schools also send liberal arts and general studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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 · 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.