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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 21 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.
Leading the list is Colorado Northwestern Community College, our #1 for liberal arts and general studies graduate salaries in Colorado. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Rangely. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Colorado Northwestern Community College earn a median of about $44,415 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Community College Of Aurora earned it the #2 place for liberal arts and general studies. Community College Of Aurora is a public school located in the city of Aurora. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,154.
A rank of #3 makes Arapahoe Community College one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Arapahoe Community College make a median of around $45,421 per year.
Front Range Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Front Range Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Front Range Community College make a median of around $44,411 per year.
Morgan Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan 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 $38,045.
Regis University came in at #6 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Regis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Regis University earn a median of about $47,538 a year early in their careers.
Colorado Mountain College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of about $44,138 a year early in their careers.
Red Rocks Community College earned the #8 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Red Rocks Community College make a median of around $49,333 per year.
Community College Of Denver landed the #9 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,051.
Mesa State College earned the #10 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Mesa State College is a public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Mesa State College make a median of around $42,868 per year.
Otero Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Otero Junior College is a public school located in the town of La Junta. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Otero Junior College typically earn about $35,083 annually.
Aims Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Aims Community College typically earn about $42,842 annually.
Pueblo Community College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Pueblo Community College typically earn about $39,122 annually.
Pikes Peak Community College placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Pikes Peak Community College make a median of around $44,172 per year.
Adams State College placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Adams State College is a public school located in the town of Alamosa. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Adams State College earn a median of about $46,747 a year early in their careers.
Colorado State University Pueblo ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo typically earn about $43,701 annually.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #17 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins make a median of around $49,230 per year.
Trinidad State Junior College placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College typically earn about $32,102 annually.
Northeastern Junior College placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Northeastern Junior College make a median of around $40,653 per year.
Lamar Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Lamar Community College make a median of around $37,719 per year.
Fort Lewis College placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Fort Lewis College is a public school located in the town of Durango. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Fort Lewis College typically earn about $32,794 annually.
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 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.