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 28 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.
Columbia Southern University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools in Alabama. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Columbia Southern University make a median of around $66,199 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in liberal arts and general studies will find them at Troy University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Troy University make a median of around $42,779 per year.
Athens State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Athens State University is a public school located in the town of Athens. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Athens State University make a median of around $40,930 per year.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,137.
Marion Military Institute produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Marion Military Institute is a public school located in the rural area of Marion. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,315.
Jefferson State Community College earned the #6 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Jefferson State Community College is a public school located in the city of Birmingham. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Jefferson State Community College make a median of around $40,346 per year.
Central Alabama Community College earned the #7 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Alexander City, Central Alabama Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Central Alabama Community College typically earn about $42,233 annually.
John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. John C Calhoun State Community College is a public school located in the city of Tanner. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from John C Calhoun State Community College typically earn about $41,635 annually.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Chattahoochee Valley Community College typically earn about $35,374 annually.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a public school located in the city of Birmingham. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of about $37,298 a year early in their careers.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan make a median of around $38,279 per year.
Bevill State Community College came in at #12 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Jasper, Bevill State 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 $39,108.
Southern Union State Community College earned the #13 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Southern Union State Community College typically earn about $36,998 annually.
Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #14 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Northeast Alabama Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,656.
Shelton State Community College came in at #15 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State 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 $39,342.
Jacksonville State University landed the #16 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Jacksonville State University is a public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Jacksonville State University make a median of around $43,553 per year.
Alabama A And M University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Alabama A And M University typically earn about $46,627 annually.
Snead State Community College placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the town of Boaz, Snead State Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Snead State Community College make a median of around $39,859 per year.
James H Faulkner State Community College placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State 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 $39,646.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #20 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn a median of about $40,103 a year early in their careers.
Talladega College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the town of Talladega, Talladega College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Talladega College make a median of around $35,399 per year.
Lurleen B Wallace Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Lurleen B Wallace Community College typically earn about $35,499 annually.
Bishop State Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Bishop State Community College is a public school located in the city of Mobile. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Bishop State Community College make a median of around $36,560 per year.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of about $37,390 a year early in their careers.
Oakwood University came in at #25 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, Oakwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Oakwood University typically earn about $30,724 annually.
These schools also send liberal arts and general studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 28 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.