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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the early-career earnings of their liberal arts and general studies graduates.
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 Western New Mexico University, our #1 for liberal arts and general studies graduate salaries in New Mexico. Western New Mexico University is a public school located in the town of Silver City. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Western New Mexico University typically earn about $34,941 annually.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College typically earn about $36,972 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of about $45,614 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Luna Community College one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the rural area of Las Vegas, Luna Community College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Luna Community College earn a median of about $32,091 a year early in their careers.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,977.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $45,935 a year early in their careers.
New Mexico State University Alamogordo came in at #7 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Alamogordo, New Mexico State University Alamogordo is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Alamogordo typically earn about $32,811 annually.
New Mexico State University Carlsbad ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Carlsbad, New Mexico State University Carlsbad is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Carlsbad typically earn about $32,811 annually.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of about $32,811 a year early in their careers.
New Mexico State University Grants ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the town of Grants, New Mexico State University Grants is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Grants typically earn about $32,811 annually.
New Mexico Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from New Mexico Junior College make a median of around $33,698 per year.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #12 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of about $41,363 a year early in their careers.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus landed the #13 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus typically earn about $41,363 annually.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus landed the #14 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus make a median of around $31,857 per year.
University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus earned the #15 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus is a public school located in the town of Los Alamos. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus typically earn about $31,857 annually.
University Of New Mexico Taos Campus earned the #16 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a public school located in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,857.
University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus earned the #17 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Los Lunas, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,857.
New Mexico Military Institute placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the town of Roswell, New Mexico Military Institute is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,138.
Clovis Community College came in at #19 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Clovis Community College is a public school located in the town of Clovis. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Clovis Community College make a median of around $35,270 per year.
San Juan College came in at #20 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,331.
New Mexico Highlands University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of about $26,461 a year early in their careers.
St Johns College New Mexico landed the #22 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. St Johns College New Mexico is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from St Johns College New Mexico make a median of around $27,988 per 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 · 22 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.