Quick overview
- Core course in a liberal arts education include:
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Music
- Art History
- Degree Pathways – Students can pursue a:
- BA – humanities + social sciences
- BS – sciences, social sciences, formal sciences
- BFA – fine and applied arts
- Major Selection – After completing general courses, students specialize by choosing a major. Here are some popular categories:
- English
- Psychology
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Art History
Liberal arts education core courses
A liberal arts degree is a comprehensive program prioritizing broad based education over a specialized or technical curriculum. The program features a blend of courses covering humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts, also allowing students to major in one of these categories. At the undergraduate level, students can either pursue a:
- Bachelor of Arts – for humanities and social science majors
- Bachelor of Science – for science, social science and formal science majors
- Bachelor of Fine Arts – for fine or applied arts majors
Core courses in a liberal arts education
A liberal arts education features a diverse curriculum. In the first two years of the four-year program, students take courses from multiple fields such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, formal sciences, and so on. Here is a list of courses you can expect to take in a liberal arts degree as sourced from QS TopUniversities and the University of Texas at Austin.
| Course category | Example classes |
| Liberal Arts | Cultural Expression, Human Experience and Thought, Middle Eastern Studies, Latin American Studies, African & African Diaspora Studies, and more. |
| Humanities | Literature, Linguistics, Philosophy, Religion, Ethics, Foreign Languages, Speech, Classic Languages, and more. |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | History, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Economics, Political Science, Gender Studies, Anthropology, Geography, Business Informatics, and more. |
| Natural Sciences | Astronomy, Biology, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Archaeology, Botany, Earth Sciences, and so on. |
| Formal Sciences | Mathematics, Statistics, Logic, and more. |
| Arts | Music, Arts and Entertainment Technology, Design, Art History, Fine Arts, Radio, Television & Film, and more. |
Popular majors in a liberal arts degree
After the first two years of the classical liberal arts education, students must choose a major. Liberal arts degree majors are quite diverse since the program is incredibly flexible allowing students to build the knowledge base they desire. Available majors technically fall under the same categories as the courses are divided into, namely, humanities, social science, natural science, arts, and formal sciences. Popular majors from each category are listed as follows:
| Humanities | Social Science | Natural Science | Formal Science | Arts |
| English | Psychology | Biology | Mathematics | Art History |
| Literature | Anthropology | Physics | Statistics | Theatre |
| History | Sociology | Science | Logic | Creative Arts |
| Philosophy | Economics | Astronomy | Music | |
| Communication | Political Science | Environmental Studies | Fine Arts |
Best liberal arts colleges in the US
Find the top 5 colleges and universities in the United States for a liberal arts education, as sourced from U.S. News World Report’s list of the best liberal arts colleges in the US.
Top 5 colleges for a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | College/University | Private/ in-state resident tuition | Non-state resident tuition |
| 1 | Williams College | $72,170 | $72,170 |
| 2 | Amherst College | $73,140 | $73,140 |
| 3 | Swarthmore College | $68,766 | $68,766 |
| 4 | United States Naval Academy | No tuition | No tuition |
| 5 | Bowdoin College | $71,070 | $71,070 |
Experiential learning component
A liberal arts degree and liberal arts colleges are renowned for providing students and immersive and hands-on learning experience. Thus, the experiential learning component is particularly important when it comes to a liberal arts education, and quite extensive as well. It aims to provide students various avenues to apply classroom learning to real-world experiences. Though the exact structure varies from college to college, it typically includes:
- Internships
- Community-based project
- Undergraduate research
- Study abroad opportunities
- Capstone project
Internships
Internships are integral to almost all college programs. However, they are critical for liberal arts graduates. According to a survey by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), 94% of hiring managers and 93% of executives claim they are more likely to hire graduates with internships and apprenticeships.
Community-based project
Community-based projects tied to coursework can significantly enhance a student’s learning experience. For example, a sociology student working with a local community organization to address social issues, provides them the practical experience needed to develop professional competencies.
Undergraduate research
Independent or faculty-mentored research projects that allow students to make contributions in fields like history, psychology, or biology. These researches, once published, can be valuable additions to a graduate’s resume. Moreover, they allow them to hone skills such as written communication, research, strategic planning, and more.
Study abroad opportunities
The liberal arts program is designed to build cross-cultural competence. Here, students engage in discussions and debates to exchange ideas and ideologies. Study abroad opportunities such as exchange programs are another way the program exposes students to other cultures to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Related: Are distance degree courses as effective as on-campus ones for a bachelor’s in liberal arts?
Capstone project
The capstone project is essentially the last stretch of the program. It provides students the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. Here, students integrate their learning to tackle a significant problem, often with a practical or interdisciplinary focus.
Career outcomes: Return on Investment (ROI) with a liberal arts degree
Here are some career opportunities available to graduates with a liberal arts degree.
| Job title | Average annual salary | Job growth rate |
| Public Relations Specialist | $69,780 | 5% |
| Human Resource Specialist | $72,910 | 6% |
| Event Planner | $59,440 | 5% |
| Social Worker | $61,330 | 6% |
| Market Researcher | $76,950 | 7% |
ROI statistics
The majority of liberal arts colleges in the US are private institutions. However, a handful of public institutions, too, offer a liberal arts degree in the country. The Return On Investment (ROI) and the time taken to recover the cost of getting a liberal arts degree depends on the type of institution a student attends as it dictates how much a student pays for their degree.
- The average cost of tuition at a private institution in the US for the year 2024-2025 was $43,505 as per US News and World Report.
- The average cost of attending a public university for in-state students was $11,011 for the academic year 2024-2024.
- Out-of-state students paid an average of $24,513 per year to study at public institutions for the same academic year.
- According to Zip Recruiter, entry level salaries for liberal arts graduates range from $28,500 per year (25th Percentile) to $83,000 per year (90th Percentile) as of August 2025.
- The average salary for liberal arts jobs in the US is $40,987 per year as of August 2025.
- The ROI for a liberal arts degree by institution type, for liberal arts graduates in the middle of their career is as follows:
- Private colleges tuition rates: +136%
- Public in-state colleges tuition rates: +831%
- Public out-of-state tuition rates: +318%
- However, average entry-level and mid-career salaries vary greatly by a student’s choice of major. Here is a comparison of entry and mid-career salaries for different liberal arts majors in 2023, as sourced through Bankrate.
| Subject | Entry-level salary | Mid-career salary | Salary increment % |
| Chemistry | $55,000 | $90,000 | 64% |
| Economics | $70,000 | $110,000 | 57% |
| History | $45,000 | $77,000 | 71% |
| Physics | $70,000 | $100,000 | 44% |
| Psychology | 45,000 | 70,000 | 56% |
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What are the 7 classic liberal arts?
The seven classical liberal arts date back to ancient Greece and Rome. They are the foundation of a classical liberal arts education comprising two main groups, the trivium and quadrivium.
Trivium includes subjects in language and critical thinking:
- Grammar
- Logic
- Rhetoric
Quadrivium includes natural and formal science subjects:
- Arithmetic
- Geometry
- Music
- Astronomy
2) What are the courses for liberal studies?
The liberal arts degree features a broad-based curriculum covering courses in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, formal sciences, and arts. Courses generally cover the following topics:
| Course category | Example classes |
| Liberal Arts | Cultural Expression, Human Experience and Thought, Middle Eastern Studies, Latin American Studies, African & African Diaspora Studies, and more. |
| Humanities | Literature, Linguistics, Philosophy, Religion, Ethics, Foreign Languages, Speech, Classic Languages, and more. |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | History, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Economics, Political Science, Gender Studies, Anthropology, Geography, Business Informatics, and more. |
| Natural Sciences | Astronomy, Biology, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Archaeology, Botany, Earth Sciences, and so on. |
| Formal Sciences | Mathematics, Statistics, Logic, and more. |
| Arts | Music, Arts and Entertainment Technology, Design, Art History, Fine Arts, Radio, Television & Film, and more. |
3) What is the highest paying liberal arts major?
If you are considering pursuing a liberal arts degree, here is key information about the earning potential of some popular liberal arts majors.
Related: What arts and humanities jobs can you get with a liberal arts degree?
| Subject | Entry-level salary | Mid-career salary | Salary increment % |
| Chemistry | $55,000 | $90,000 | 64% |
| Economics | $70,000 | $110,000 | 57% |
| History | $45,000 | $77,000 | 71% |
| Physics | $70,000 | $100,000 | 44% |
| Psychology | 45,000 | 70,000 | 56% |
4) What is the liberal arts format?
The liberal arts format refers to the structure and philosophy of education in a liberal arts program. Instead of narrowly training students for one profession, it emphasizes a broad-based, interdisciplinary education that develops intellectual versatility.
Related: How long does a liberal arts degree take?
Here’s what the format usually entails:
1. Curriculum Structure
- General education requirements – Courses across humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics to ensure breadth.
- Major – A focused area of study (e.g., history, psychology, biology), but still with flexibility.
- Electives – Students explore personal interests outside their major.
2. Learning Approach
- Emphasis on critical thinking, analysis, and writing rather than rote memorization.
- Discussion-based classes and seminars instead of large lectures.
- Interdisciplinary connections—students learn to see links between fields (e.g., philosophy and politics, biology and ethics).
3. Experiential Learning
- Internships
- Research projects
- Community engagement
- Study abroad
- Capstones.
4. Skills Developed
- Communication (writing, speaking)
- Problem-solving
- Quantitative and qualitative reasoning
- Ethical and civic awareness
- Adaptability for multiple career paths