by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2,057 U.S. colleges awarded 549,365 degrees and certificates in Liberal Arts General Studies. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 67% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1,551 schools in its 2027 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $32,173 one year after completing, rising to $46,857 after four years.
For the student who has a broad interest in many different areas, a major in Liberal Arts and General Studies may be for you.
This major will not put you on a specific career track; rather you will become skilled in many different areas such as reading, writing, research and critical thinking. You will build a broad education base and will learn skills that will become accessible in any career. Students may be able to choose a concentration where they can delve into a particular subject that interests them. Examples of this would include the humanities, natural sciences, or the social sciences.
Some courses you may take with this major include: biology, biological concepts, foreign language, English literature, environmental science, social and political movements, music history, mathematics, art, introduction to theater, fundamentals of economics, psychology, and religion.
A degree in Liberal Arts General Studies explores Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, liberal arts general studies is a popular field of study, with 549,365 degrees awarded annually. 2,057 colleges award liberal arts general studies degrees, an average of 267 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 8,774.
By level, the 549,365 awards include 113,725 certificates, 368,542 associate degrees, 37,442 bachelor’s degrees, 29,492 master’s degrees and 116 doctorates.
Women earned 62% of liberal arts general studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (342,470 of 549,365). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (237,697) and Hispanic or Latino (158,289), and international students earned 11,810.
College Factual ranks 1,551 schools in its 2027 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools ranking, including 1,133 for associate degrees, 484 for bachelor’s degrees, 37 for master’s degrees and 2 for doctorates. It also ranks liberal arts general studies schools within 52 states. In all, 2,057 colleges offer liberal arts general studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common liberal arts general studies credential is the associate degree: 368,542 of the 549,365 awarded in the latest year.
This is a very interdisciplinary subject. You will be asked to be self-disciplined and work hard to accomplish all of your assignments. Not only will you be engaging in various subjects at the same time, but you will also make connections between different subjects. Curiosity and an open mind are critical as you will regularly delve into new content. By experiencing an abundance of courses you will determine what you enjoy and shape your focus.
It is also important that you are able to work with people. You will be asked to participate in class discussions and work with your peers for group projects. This will let you to gain different perspectives and will also sharpen your oral communication skills. Reading and writing skills will also be improved. You should be ready to do a lot of reading and write a lot of research papers and response journals.
How long a liberal arts general studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 113,725 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 368,542 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 37,442 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 29,492 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 116 |
1 occupations are related to Liberal Arts General Studies, with an average median salary of $68,967. Typical job titles include Weight Control Lecturer, College Instructor, Survey Research Teacher and Urban Planning Teacher.
With a degree in Liberal Arts and General Studies your career opportunities will seem endless. You will learn many important skills while in school that can transfer to just about any career. One option is to go to graduate school to obtain a Master's in business, law or education. You can also go right into the work force and work in advertising, business, marketing, project management, journalism, or public relations.
The career opportunities are vast. Salary will depend greatly upon what career you choose and how much effort you are willing to put in as an undergrad developing your skills.
The occupation related to liberal arts general studies with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
Liberal Arts General Studies graduates earn a median $32,173 one year after completing their program, $46,857 after four years and $43,964 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,173 |
| 4 years | $46,857 |
| 5 years | $43,964 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to liberal arts general studies, with a median salary of $68,967.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
Liberal Arts General Studies includes 4 concentrations that together award 549,365 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (348,742), General Studies (129,285) and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other (52,665). Browse all Liberal Arts & Humanities majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies | 348,742 |
| General Studies | 129,285 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other | 52,665 |
| Humanities/Humanistic Studies | 18,673 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
