by our College Data Analytics Team
[Liberal Arts And General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a liberal arts and general studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
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:
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 Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of about $38,830 a year early in their careers.
University Of Iowa came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. University Of Iowa is a public school located in the city of Iowa City. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa typically earn about $59,491 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Des Moines Area Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College typically earn about $46,441 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Hawkeye Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye 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 $43,743.
A rank of #5 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Western Iowa Tech Community College make a median of around $40,777 per year.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood 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 $43,552.
Graceland University Lamoni earned the #7 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Graceland University Lamoni is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Graceland University Lamoni make a median of around $44,485 per year.
Marshalltown Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Marshalltown Community College is a public school located in the town of Marshalltown. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of about $41,971 a year early in their careers.
Grand View University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Grand View University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Grand View University make a median of around $51,137 per year.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Eastern Iowa Community College District make a median of around $45,054 per year.
Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Iowa Lakes Community College is a public school located in the town of Estherville. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,974.
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,163.
Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa 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 $41,727.
Iowa Western Community College came in at #14 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College typically earn about $40,741 annually.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College typically earn about $41,381 annually.
Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston typically earn about $38,224 annually.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #17 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $39,695 a year early in their careers.
Iowa State University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of about $44,888 a year early in their careers.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #19 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Iowa Central Community College is a public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,983.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #20 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Ellsworth Community College is a public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of about $42,381 a year early in their careers.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #21 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a public school located in the town of West Burlington. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of about $38,436 a year early in their careers.
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 · 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.