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.
College Factual analyzed 26 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 College Missouri earned the #1 spot for highest-paid liberal arts and general studies graduates in Missouri. Columbia College Missouri is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,971.
Strong graduate earnings at Saint Louis University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of about $48,829 a year early in their careers.
Culver Stockton College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Culver Stockton College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Canton. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,007.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,560.
Cottey College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Cottey College typically earn about $33,737 annually.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis typically earn about $49,013 annually.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of about $41,594 a year early in their careers.
St Charles Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles 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 $44,730.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned the #9 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of about $36,220 a year early in their careers.
University Of Central Missouri placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. University Of Central Missouri is a public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from University Of Central Missouri make a median of around $48,240 per year.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Southeast Missouri State University make a median of around $48,292 per year.
Saint Louis Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of about $41,960 a year early in their careers.
Jefferson College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Jefferson College make a median of around $43,343 per year.
East Central College earned the #14 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Union, East Central College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from East Central College make a median of around $37,644 per year.
Moberly Area Community College earned the #15 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Moberly Area Community College make a median of around $39,481 per year.
Crowder College came in at #16 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,552.
Missouri Southern State University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of about $40,509 a year early in their careers.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #18 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a public school located in the city of Springfield. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College typically earn about $36,903 annually.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff make a median of around $32,669 per year.
State Fair Community College came in at #20 for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. State Fair Community College is a public school located in the town of Sedalia. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from State Fair Community College make a median of around $36,437 per year.
Mineral Area College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Located in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Mineral Area College make a median of around $36,468 per year.
North Central Missouri College earned the #22 position for liberal arts and general studies graduate earnings this year. North Central Missouri College is a public school located in the town of Trenton. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,102.
Missouri Baptist University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Missouri Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Missouri Baptist University make a median of around $35,595 per year.
Missouri State University West Plains landed the #24 spot for liberal arts and general studies salaries this year. Missouri State University West Plains is a public school located in the town of West Plains. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,060.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,014.
These schools also send liberal arts and general studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 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.