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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 9 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.
Leading the list is Turtle Mountain Community College, our #1 for liberal arts and general studies graduate salaries in North Dakota. Turtle Mountain Community College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Belcourt. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Turtle Mountain Community College make a median of around $42,553 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Bismarck State College one of the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,084.
University Of North Dakota came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,428.
Strong graduate earnings at Williston State College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Williston State College make a median of around $42,696 per year.
Minot State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in liberal arts and general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Minot State University is a public school located in the city of Minot. After graduating, liberal arts and general studies degree recipients from Minot State University typically earn about $44,614 annually.
North Dakota State College Of Science placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. Liberal Arts And General Studies graduates of North Dakota State College Of Science earn a median of about $35,804 a year early in their careers.
Dakota College At Bottineau placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Located in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,919.
Lake Region State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying liberal arts and general studies schools. Set in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a public institution. Students who complete the liberal arts and general studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,195.
Mayville State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for liberal arts and general studies. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a public institution. Early-career liberal arts and general studies graduates from Mayville State University make a median of around $34,306 per year.
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 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.