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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find where liberal arts and general studies graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose liberal arts and general studies graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Marymount University, our #1 for liberal arts and general studies graduate salaries in Virginia. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Marymount University earn a median of about $58,628 a year early in their careers.
James Madison University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from James Madison University make a median of around $53,680 per year.
George Mason University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,124.
Students chasing top earnings in liberal arts and general studies will find them at Longwood University, which ranked #4. Longwood University is a public school located in the town of Farmville. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,634.
Northern Virginia Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Northern Virginia Community College make a median of around $51,819 per year.
Eastern Mennonite University landed the #6 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Eastern Mennonite University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Eastern Mennonite University make a median of around $48,303 per year.
Bridgewater College came in at #7 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Bridgewater College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Bridgewater College make a median of around $47,686 per year.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster 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 $37,159.
University Of Mary Washington came in at #9 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,274.
Eastern Shore Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore 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 $34,388.
Liberty University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,579.
Germanna Community College came in at #12 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna 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 $43,597.
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #13 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson 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 $38,277.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #14 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of about $39,461 a year early in their careers.
Mary Baldwin College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College typically earn about $40,290 annually.
Tidewater Community College came in at #16 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater 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 $40,534.
John Tyler Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler 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 $43,367.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave typically earn about $43,084 annually.
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #19 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College typically earn about $44,451 annually.
Paul D Camp Community College earned the #20 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Paul D Camp Community College is a public school located in the town of Franklin. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,627.
Danville Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Danville Community College make a median of around $34,781 per year.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College make a median of around $38,593 per year.
New River Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the town of Dublin, New River 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 $38,161.
Hampton University landed the #24 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Hampton University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Hampton University make a median of around $37,179 per year.
Rappahannock Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock 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 $38,364.
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. 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 · 35 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.