by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,442 U.S. colleges awarded 348,742 degrees and certificates in Liberal Arts. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 69% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1,091 schools in its 2027 Best Liberal Arts 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.
A major in Liberal Arts explores Liberal Arts And Sciences/liberal Studies. A Program That Is A Structured Combination Of The Arts, Biological And Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, And Humanities, Emphasizing Breadth Of Study. Includes Instruction In Independently Designed, Individualized, Or Regular Programs.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, liberal arts draws strong interest, with 348,742 degrees awarded annually. 1,442 colleges award liberal arts degrees, an average of 242 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 7,245.
By level, the 348,742 awards include 73,837 certificates, 241,686 associate degrees, 20,250 bachelor’s degrees, 12,923 master’s degrees and 33 doctorates.
Women earned 63% of liberal arts degrees and certificates in the latest year (218,285 of 348,742). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (142,545) and Hispanic or Latino (110,524), and international students earned 8,307.
College Factual ranks 1,091 schools in its 2027 Best Liberal Arts Schools ranking, including 832 for associate degrees, 287 for bachelor’s degrees, 25 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks liberal arts schools within 51 states. In all, 1,442 colleges offer liberal arts programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Liberal Arts Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
How long a liberal arts degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 73,837 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 241,686 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 20,250 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 12,923 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 33 |
1 occupations are related to Liberal Arts, with an average median salary of $68,967. Typical job titles include Flight Teacher, Science Teacher, University Teacher and University Professor.
The occupation related to liberal arts 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 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, with a median salary of $68,967.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
Liberal Arts has 3 similar majors in the Liberal Arts & Humanities field, which together award 200,623 degrees a year; the largest are General Studies (129,285), Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other (52,665) and Humanities/Humanistic Studies (18,673). Browse all Liberal Arts & Humanities majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| 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.
