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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find where liberal arts and general studies graduates earn the most.
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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 Tennessee Technological University this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $63,938 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in liberal arts and general studies will find them at Duke University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of about $80,039 a year early in their careers.
University Of Memphis produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #3 spot 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.
Students chasing top earnings in liberal arts and general studies will find them at Middle Tennessee State University, which ranked #4. 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.
Students chasing top earnings in liberal arts and general studies will find them at Tulane University Of Louisiana, which ranked #5. Set 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 earned the #6 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of about $53,388 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #7 position 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. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro typically earn about $53,660 annually.
American Public University System came in at #8 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. American Public University System is a private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,920.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh typically earn about $48,700 annually.
Auburn University At Montgomery ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Auburn University At Montgomery make a median of around $33,708 per year.
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 · 10 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.