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Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree

424 schools compared · Average earnings $37,173/yr

Students study a broad curriculum spanning the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and arts, developing versatile critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills. Graduates typically pursue careers across diverse fields including business, government, nonprofit management, education, and communications, often based on internship experience and individual strengths. This degree provides maximum flexibility and is commonly used as a foundation for professional graduate programs in law, business, or public administration.

What Liberal Arts and Sciences Graduates Do

Your degree develops strong analytical and communication skills that are applied across many professions. A common path is into academia as a postsecondary teacher, where you’ll spend your days designing syllabi, leading class discussions, grading student research papers, and conducting your own original research for publication. This is a highly competitive field with slow job growth, and advancing from a lecturer to a tenured professor typically requires a Ph.D. and a significant publishing record.

Many graduates leverage these same skills in communications or the non-profit sector. You might find yourself as a marketing specialist writing website copy and analyzing campaign results, or as a grant writer for a foundation, researching funding opportunities and crafting persuasive proposals. These roles often begin at a coordinator level before progressing to manager or director positions.

A key advantage of these career paths is their low exposure to AI. Automation has little impact on the core tasks of mentoring students, developing creative strategies, or building interpersonal relationships. This focus on uniquely human skills provides a durable career advantage in an increasingly automated world.

Schools Offering

424

Avg Grad Earnings

$37,173/yr

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

33/100

AI Automation Risk

Low

16% task exposure

Common Career Paths

Where Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 13,500 combined openings per year.

Career Path	Salary Range	Openings/yr	Growth	AI Risk
Postsecondary teachers, all other	$78,490 $56K$123K	13,500	+1.8%	0%

Postsecondary teachers, all other

$78,490

$56K $123K

13,500 openings/yr +1.8% growth 0% AI risk

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).

Best Schools for Liberal Arts and Sciences

Top 20 of 424 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.

#	School	DW Score	Earnings	ROI
1	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN	55 56–55	$49,083/yr	16.9x
2	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI	54 55–54	$50,438/yr	17.5x
3	Georgetown University Washington, DC	53 54–53	$66,719/yr	3.6x
4	Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ	53 54–53	$49,779/yr	19.7x
5	DePaul University Chicago, IL	52 53–52	$84,066/yr	3.8x
6	Bentley University Waltham, MA	52 53–52	$72,333/yr	3.4x
7	University of Central Florida Orlando, FL	52 54–52	$48,391/yr	20.6x
8	American Public University System Charles Town, WV	51 52–51	$62,059/yr	17.5x
9	Charter Oak State College New Britain, CT	51 53–51	$44,615/yr	16.8x
10	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ	50 51–50	$49,147/yr	12.0x
11	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX	50 52–50	$45,243/yr	13.0x
12	University of South Florida Tampa, FL	50 52–50	$45,230/yr	19.6x
13	University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, WI	49 50–48	$54,436/yr	13.8x
14	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI	49 51–49	$42,673/yr	14.6x
15	Weber State University Ogden, UT	49 53–49	$39,864/yr	22.0x
16	Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH	48 49–48	$55,339/yr	8.4x
17	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK	48 49–48	$45,726/yr	13.5x
18	Fort Hays State University Hays, KS	48 51–48	$42,795/yr	21.8x
19	University of Nevada-Reno Reno, NV	47 50–47	$43,520/yr	14.6x
20	CUNY City College New York, NY	47 50–47	$43,059/yr	16.9x
21	Texas Woman's University Denton, TX	47 50–47	$41,803/yr	15.4x
22	Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI	47 50–47	$40,740/yr	12.7x
23	Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA	47 51–47	$39,758/yr	17.0x
24	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA	46 46–45	$103,135/yr	3.3x
25	William Jewell College Liberty, MO	46 47–46	$50,663/yr	7.1x
26	Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Portales, NM	46 49–46	$43,186/yr	17.2x
27	University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND	46 48–46	$42,948/yr	12.3x
28	National University San Diego, CA	45 46–44	$57,429/yr	9.8x
29	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN	45 47–45	$45,074/yr	12.6x
30	Kent State University at Ashtabula Ashtabula, OH	45 48–45	$41,205/yr	16.4x
31	Kent State University at East Liverpool East Liverpool, OH	45 48–45	$41,205/yr	16.4x
32	Kent State University at Stark North Canton, OH	45 48–45	$41,205/yr	16.4x
33	Kent State University at Trumbull Warren, OH	45 48–45	$41,205/yr	16.4x
34	Kent State University at Tuscarawas New Philadelphia, OH	45 48–45	$41,205/yr	16.4x
35	Kent State University at Salem Salem, OH	45 48–45	$41,205/yr	16.4x
36	Kent State University at Geauga Burton, OH	45 48–45	$41,205/yr	16.4x
37	University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE	45 48–45	$40,892/yr	15.0x
38	University of Iowa Iowa City, IA	45 48–45	$40,791/yr	12.6x
39	Clayton State University Morrow, GA	45 49–45	$37,898/yr	24.0x
40	Tennessee State University Nashville, TN	45 50–46	$37,716/yr	16.5x
41	California State University-East Bay Hayward, CA	45 51–46	$36,509/yr	19.9x
42	James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA	44 45–43	$49,408/yr	8.9x
43	Cameron University Lawton, OK	44 46–44	$43,865/yr	14.9x
44	Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global Marion, IN	44 46–44	$43,763/yr	13.7x
45	University of Kansas Lawrence, KS	44 47–44	$42,527/yr	11.2x
46	Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX	44 47–44	$41,112/yr	13.5x
47	Lewis-Clark State College Lewiston, ID	44 48–44	$39,404/yr	16.6x
48	Texas A&M University-Central Texas Killeen, TX	44 49–45	$38,253/yr	18.8x
49	Molloy College Rockville Centre, NY	43 44–43	$74,868/yr	3.9x
50	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN	43 44–42	$56,778/yr	7.6x
51	Lamar University Beaumont, TX	43 45–43	$43,524/yr	12.9x
52	Miami University-Hamilton Hamilton, OH	43 46–43	$40,556/yr	15.7x
53	Miami University-Middletown Middletown, OH	43 46–43	$40,556/yr	15.7x
54	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA	43 48–44	$37,981/yr	23.1x
55	Ashford University San Diego, CA	42 43–42	$49,010/yr	8.7x
56	Minot State University Minot, ND	42 44–42	$44,614/yr	11.9x
57	Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ	42 45–42	$43,752/yr	9.9x
58	South Dakota State University Brookings, SD	42 44–42	$43,563/yr	12.0x
59	George Mason University Fairfax, VA	42 45–42	$41,398/yr	9.7x
60	University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL	42 45–42	$40,968/yr	13.2x
61	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, WI	42 45–42	$40,494/yr	13.9x
62	Texas State University San Marcos, TX	42 46–42	$38,829/yr	11.6x
63	Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stillwater, OK	42 46–42	$37,938/yr	12.8x
64	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA	42 48–43	$35,056/yr	13.5x
65	Potomac State College of West Virginia University Keyser, WV	42 48–42	$34,883/yr	23.9x
66	San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA	42 49–43	$32,112/yr	19.7x
67	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN	41 43–41	$45,579/yr	2.5x
68	Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX	41 43–41	$44,688/yr	5.7x
69	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, CT	41 43–41	$44,240/yr	7.3x
70	University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, CT	41 43–41	$44,240/yr	7.3x
71	University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford, CT	41 43–41	$44,240/yr	7.3x
72	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Hartford, CT	41 43–41	$44,240/yr	7.3x
73	West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX	41 44–41	$40,793/yr	12.6x
74	The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX	41 45–42	$40,185/yr	10.9x
75	University of Maine at Augusta Augusta, ME	41 45–42	$39,982/yr	13.4x
76	California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA	41 48–42	$33,324/yr	19.0x
77	Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY	40 42–40	$62,607/yr	3.1x
78	Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia, PA	40 41–40	$53,766/yr	2.5x
79	Utah Valley University Orem, UT	40 42–40	$44,366/yr	13.5x
80	University of Connecticut Storrs, CT	40 42–40	$44,240/yr	6.1x
81	Baker College Owosso, MI	40 43–40	$42,426/yr	9.4x
82	Stockton University Galloway, NJ	40 42–40	$42,209/yr	8.0x
83	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	40 43–40	$41,499/yr	10.8x
84	Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX	40 44–41	$40,600/yr	10.4x
85	State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NY	40 44–40	$37,940/yr	13.4x
86	University of Massachusetts Global Irvine, CA	40 45–40	$36,875/yr	10.8x
87	University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA	40 45–40	$35,951/yr	13.7x
88	Excelsior University Albany, NY	39 40–39	$52,429/yr	—
89	Athens State University Athens, AL	39 40–39	$50,903/yr	—
90	Longwood University Farmville, VA	39 41–39	$46,714/yr	7.3x
91	Worcester State University Worcester, MA	39 41–39	$43,996/yr	8.7x
92	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI	39 41–39	$43,714/yr	10.6x
93	Rowan University Glassboro, NJ	39 42–39	$43,486/yr	7.6x
94	Jackson State University Jackson, MS	39 42–39	$41,812/yr	10.5x
95	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC	39 42–39	$41,661/yr	10.7x
96	Wilmington University New Castle, DE	39 42–39	$41,066/yr	9.4x
97	Indiana University-East Richmond, IN	39 42–39	$39,936/yr	12.7x
98	University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK	39 44–40	$37,786/yr	13.4x
99	Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY	39 44–40	$37,602/yr	11.4x
100	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA	39 45–39	$34,576/yr	18.9x
101	Florida International University Miami, FL	39 45–40	$34,418/yr	18.0x
102	Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV	39 45–40	$33,587/yr	14.9x
103	Montana State University Billings Billings, MT	39 47–40	$29,832/yr	20.8x
104	College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NY	39 46–40	$25,967/yr	21.5x
105	Champlain College Burlington, VT	38 40–38	$71,207/yr	2.2x
106	Drexel University Philadelphia, PA	38 40–38	$62,470/yr	1.8x
107	University of St Thomas Houston, TX	38 39–38	$53,187/yr	3.0x
108	Trinity Washington University Washington, DC	38 39–38	$50,283/yr	3.8x
109	Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ	38 39–38	$49,147/yr	—
110	Chicago State University Chicago, IL	38 40–38	$45,762/yr	8.0x
111	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH	38 41–38	$43,393/yr	8.6x
112	Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO	38 41–38	$42,136/yr	10.6x
113	Vermont State University Randolph, VT	38 41–38	$41,999/yr	9.6x
114	Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT	38 40–38	$41,870/yr	8.4x
115	Belmont University Nashville, TN	38 41–38	$41,245/yr	3.4x
116	Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH	38 41–38	$41,205/yr	8.9x
117	Dakota State University Madison, SD	38 41–38	$41,119/yr	9.7x
118	Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ	38 41–38	$40,331/yr	7.7x
119	Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL	38 42–39	$40,273/yr	9.0x
120	Morgan State University Baltimore, MD	38 42–38	$39,699/yr	11.2x
121	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN	38 42–38	$39,564/yr	11.6x
122	Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, OK	38 42–38	$38,899/yr	13.8x
123	Emporia State University Emporia, KS	38 43–39	$38,423/yr	14.2x
124	Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS	38 43–39	$36,597/yr	13.9x
125	University of North Texas Denton, TX	38 44–39	$36,588/yr	11.4x
126	Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, OK	38 43–39	$36,300/yr	17.3x
127	Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI	38 44–39	$36,157/yr	9.5x
128	Florida State University Tallahassee, FL	38 44–39	$35,361/yr	18.8x
129	West Virginia University Institute of Technology Beckley, WV	38 44–39	$34,883/yr	14.6x
130	Ohio University-Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, OH	38 44–38	$34,707/yr	17.6x
131	Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Chillicothe, OH	38 44–38	$34,707/yr	17.6x
132	Ohio University-Southern Campus Ironton, OH	38 44–38	$34,707/yr	17.6x
133	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, OH	38 44–38	$34,707/yr	17.6x
134	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, OH	38 44–38	$34,707/yr	17.6x
135	California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA	38 45–39	$31,802/yr	17.7x
136	Yale University New Haven, CT	37 38–37	$61,133/yr	1.4x
137	Antioch University-Los Angeles Culver City, CA	37 39–37	$46,487/yr	—
138	Antioch University-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA	37 39–37	$46,487/yr	—
139	Antioch University-Seattle Seattle, WA	37 39–37	$46,487/yr	—
140	Antioch University Yellow Springs, OH	37 39–37	$46,487/yr	—
141	Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, NY	37 38–37	$46,408/yr	4.2x
142	Columbia College Columbia, MO	37 39–37	$45,133/yr	4.6x
143	University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, AR	37 40–37	$41,530/yr	11.0x
144	West Virginia State University Institute, WV	37 40–38	$41,319/yr	11.0x
145	Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, TX	37 40–37	$39,969/yr	10.4x
146	Adams State University Alamosa, CO	37 41–38	$39,546/yr	11.0x
147	University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO	37 41–37	$39,317/yr	8.4x
148	Salisbury University Salisbury, MD	37 42–38	$38,478/yr	10.8x
149	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, OR	37 41–37	$38,083/yr	9.4x
150	University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA	37 41–37	$37,677/yr	8.7x
151	East Carolina University Greenville, NC	37 42–38	$36,809/yr	14.2x
152	University of Houston Houston, TX	37 43–38	$35,565/yr	12.4x
153	West Virginia University at Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV	37 43–38	$32,909/yr	23.4x
154	California State University-Monterey Bay Seaside, CA	37 45–38	$30,413/yr	17.4x
155	California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA	37 45–38	$30,286/yr	17.4x
156	California State University-Stanislaus Turlock, CA	37 45–39	$29,148/yr	17.8x
157	Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CA	36 37–36	$56,094/yr	1.8x
158	Regis College Weston, MA	36 37–35	$52,559/yr	1.8x
159	Whitworth University-Adult Degree Programs Spokane, WA	36 38–36	$44,645/yr	—
160	Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL	36 39–36	$42,976/yr	8.2x
161	Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ	36 39–36	$41,315/yr	3.2x
162	University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, MO	36 40–37	$39,992/yr	9.1x
163	Oregon State University Corvallis, OR	36 40–36	$38,083/yr	8.7x
164	Texas A&M University-Texarkana Texarkana, TX	36 40–36	$37,685/yr	10.9x
165	Indiana University-Southeast New Albany, IN	36 41–37	$37,440/yr	12.7x
166	Indiana University-Northwest Gary, IN	36 41–37	$37,035/yr	12.8x
167	University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO	36 41–37	$36,845/yr	11.4x
168	Delaware State University Dover, DE	36 41–36	$35,998/yr	11.1x
169	Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX	36 42–37	$35,270/yr	13.9x
170	West Virginia University Morgantown, WV	36 42–36	$34,883/yr	12.0x
171	Southwestern Assemblies of God University Waxahachie, TX	36 42–36	$34,800/yr	7.7x
172	California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, CA	36 44–37	$29,341/yr	16.9x
173	University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	35 38–35	$43,509/yr	3.2x
174	Governors State University University Park, IL	35 38–35	$42,107/yr	8.6x
175	Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO	35 39–35	$38,502/yr	10.6x
176	University of Maine at Presque Isle Presque Isle, ME	35 40–36	$38,395/yr	9.7x
177	CUNY Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, NY	35 39–35	$37,808/yr	12.4x
178	East Central University Ada, OK	35 40–36	$37,389/yr	10.6x
179	University of Mississippi University, MS	35 40–36	$37,174/yr	11.3x
180	University of Memphis Memphis, TN	35 40–35	$37,158/yr	10.4x
181	Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo, IN	35 41–36	$35,482/yr	12.9x
182	Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO	35 41–36	$35,464/yr	11.7x
183	Virginia State University Petersburg, VA	35 41–35	$34,877/yr	11.6x
184	Texas Southern University Houston, TX	35 41–36	$34,661/yr	12.3x
185	University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN	35 41–36	$34,573/yr	11.6x
186	Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL	35 43–37	$29,605/yr	23.5x
187	Saint Xavier University Chicago, IL	34 35–34	$51,054/yr	2.5x
188	University of Miami Coral Gables, FL	34 35–34	$50,614/yr	1.1x
189	Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO	34 35–34	$48,829/yr	1.3x
190	University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TX	34 35–34	$47,241/yr	2.8x
191	Xavier University Cincinnati, OH	34 35–34	$47,064/yr	2.2x
192	Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC	34 36–34	$46,654/yr	4.7x
193	Siena Heights University Adrian, MI	34 36–34	$44,746/yr	2.8x
194	Aurora University Aurora, IL	34 36–34	$44,614/yr	3.0x
195	University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT	34 36–34	$43,743/yr	3.0x
196	Washington State University Pullman, WA	34 38–35	$40,061/yr	7.9x
197	University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis, MO	34 38–34	$38,332/yr	8.1x
198	University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS	34 39–34	$37,800/yr	8.8x
199	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC	34 39–35	$37,709/yr	9.5x
200	West Liberty University West Liberty, WV	34 39–35	$37,379/yr	11.2x
201	The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX	34 40–35	$34,397/yr	12.1x
202	California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA	34 42–35	$30,824/yr	16.6x
203	California State University-Chico Chico, CA	34 42–35	$27,196/yr	16.1x
204	California State University-Fresno Fresno, CA	34 41–35	$25,349/yr	18.7x
205	Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor, MI	33 34–33	$47,121/yr	2.8x
206	University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Belton, TX	33 36–34	$42,522/yr	3.3x
207	Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL	33 36–33	$40,874/yr	3.8x
208	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH	33 37–34	$40,556/yr	5.8x
209	University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA	33 37–34	$40,009/yr	9.2x
210	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI	33 38–34	$38,065/yr	6.6x
211	Los Angeles Pacific University San Dimas, CA	33 37–33	$37,985/yr	6.9x
212	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL	33 38–34	$37,545/yr	8.1x
213	Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MO	33 38–33	$36,783/yr	11.1x
214	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA	33 38–34	$36,362/yr	6.9x
215	Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT	33 38–34	$35,814/yr	13.1x
216	Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI	33 39–34	$35,767/yr	8.1x
217	Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN	33 39–34	$35,745/yr	11.4x
218	Westfield State University Westfield, MA	33 39–34	$35,004/yr	9.6x
219	California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, CA	33 40–34	$33,588/yr	14.2x
220	University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC	33 40–34	$31,245/yr	14.4x
221	California State University-Channel Islands Camarillo, CA	33 41–35	$28,324/yr	17.4x
222	California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA	33 40–34	$24,979/yr	17.0x
223	San Diego State University San Diego, CA	33 39–34	$23,190/yr	16.6x
224	Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MD	32 33–32	$48,819/yr	2.1x
225	Cornell University Ithaca, NY	32 34–32	$46,072/yr	0.7x
226	Lee University Cleveland, TN	32 34–32	$45,678/yr	3.7x
227	Western Illinois University Macomb, IL	32 37–33	$38,196/yr	7.0x
228	Iowa State University Ames, IA	32 38–33	$36,532/yr	9.7x
229	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS	32 37–33	$36,318/yr	8.3x
230	Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CT	32 37–32	$36,168/yr	8.3x
231	University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD	32 37–33	$35,907/yr	8.5x
232	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN	32 38–33	$35,775/yr	9.0x
233	McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA	32 38–32	$35,282/yr	11.3x
234	Ball State University Muncie, IN	32 38–33	$35,269/yr	9.9x
235	Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, LA	32 38–33	$34,855/yr	12.6x
236	Mayville State University Mayville, ND	32 38–32	$34,306/yr	9.8x
237	Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR	32 38–33	$33,881/yr	12.6x
238	Fairmont State University Fairmont, WV	32 39–33	$33,815/yr	12.2x
239	Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA	32 39–33	$33,705/yr	12.4x
240	Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN	32 38–33	$33,678/yr	10.7x
241	Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN	32 39–33	$33,295/yr	12.5x
242	Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA	32 39–33	$32,688/yr	12.3x
243	Louisiana State University-Alexandria Alexandria, LA	32 39–33	$32,463/yr	14.3x
244	Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK	32 39–33	$31,794/yr	13.7x
245	Framingham State University Framingham, MA	32 40–33	$31,613/yr	10.5x
246	New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, NM	32 39–33	$31,568/yr	13.1x
247	University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, NM	32 40–33	$31,428/yr	13.5x
248	Utah State University Logan, UT	32 40–33	$31,049/yr	12.5x
249	California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA	32 39–33	$24,706/yr	17.7x
250	Alverno College Milwaukee, WI	31 33–31	$44,812/yr	2.7x
251	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, IN	31 33–31	$43,763/yr	2.9x
252	Liberty University Lynchburg, VA	31 34–31	$42,669/yr	4.0x
253	Friends University Wichita, KS	31 34–31	$41,734/yr	2.2x
254	University of Mount Union Alliance, OH	31 35–32	$40,431/yr	3.0x
255	Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI	31 35–31	$38,583/yr	6.9x
256	Randall University Moore, OK	31 36–32	$38,244/yr	4.5x
257	University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, MI	31 36–32	$37,742/yr	6.8x
258	Johnson & Wales University-Online Providence, RI	31 36–32	$37,266/yr	6.0x
259	Langston University Langston, OK	31 36–31	$35,510/yr	11.7x
260	Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC	31 37–32	$35,414/yr	12.2x
261	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO	31 37–32	$34,540/yr	8.5x
262	University of Maine Orono, ME	31 37–32	$34,404/yr	8.8x
263	Murray State University Murray, KY	31 37–32	$34,304/yr	10.4x
264	University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD	31 38–32	$34,196/yr	9.7x
265	William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ	31 38–32	$32,581/yr	8.2x
266	Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID	31 38–32	$29,803/yr	19.3x
267	Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VA	30 31–30	$46,820/yr	1.9x
268	Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA	30 31–30	$46,585/yr	1.9x
269	Barry University Miami, FL	30 32–30	$46,015/yr	2.4x
270	Endicott College Beverly, MA	30 32–30	$45,277/yr	2.1x
271	University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg, SC	30 35–31	$36,241/yr	8.4x
272	University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR	30 36–31	$33,780/yr	11.1x
273	Indiana University-South Bend South Bend, IN	30 37–31	$33,716/yr	11.5x
274	University of Idaho Moscow, ID	30 37–31	$33,620/yr	11.2x
275	Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD	30 37–31	$32,889/yr	10.6x
276	North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC	30 38–31	$30,397/yr	14.6x
277	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, CA	30 37–31	$25,168/yr	15.6x
278	Wayne State University Detroit, MI	30 37–31	$25,046/yr	10.0x
279	Whitworth University Spokane, WA	29 31–29	$44,645/yr	1.7x
280	Grand View University Des Moines, IA	29 32–29	$39,996/yr	2.8x
281	University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, MA	29 34–30	$37,140/yr	5.8x
282	Husson University Bangor, ME	29 34–29	$36,809/yr	3.1x
283	Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY	29 35–30	$35,958/yr	8.8x
284	Rutgers University-Camden Camden, NJ	29 34–29	$35,768/yr	4.2x
285	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ	29 34–29	$35,768/yr	4.2x
286	Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, MO	29 36–30	$33,014/yr	8.1x
287	SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NY	29 36–30	$32,082/yr	11.2x
288	Montana State University Bozeman, MT	29 37–30	$30,380/yr	12.6x
289	Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA	29 36–30	$25,441/yr	17.5x
290	Luther College Decorah, IA	28 30–28	$42,926/yr	1.7x
291	Wesleyan University Middletown, CT	28 31–28	$39,764/yr	1.5x
292	New York University New York, NY	28 32–29	$38,447/yr	1.8x
293	Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ	28 33–28	$36,993/yr	2.1x
294	Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY	28 34–29	$35,746/yr	7.8x
295	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH	28 35–29	$34,707/yr	7.4x
296	University of Kentucky Lexington, KY	28 34–28	$33,700/yr	5.4x
297	Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN	28 35–29	$33,414/yr	7.4x
298	Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Indiana, PA	28 34–29	$33,174/yr	6.3x
299	Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR	28 35–29	$32,875/yr	11.1x
300	University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NE	28 36–29	$29,471/yr	12.3x
301	University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH	28 35–29	$24,851/yr	10.3x
302	University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA	28 34–29	$23,203/yr	9.9x
303	Union College Schenectady, NY	27 29–27	$45,516/yr	0.9x
304	Baker University Baldwin City, KS	27 30–27	$40,704/yr	2.4x
305	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJ	27 31–27	$39,071/yr	2.5x
306	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Madison, NJ	27 31–27	$39,071/yr	2.5x
307	Hampton University Hampton, VA	27 32–28	$37,179/yr	2.2x
308	Neumann University Aston, PA	27 33–28	$35,220/yr	3.0x
309	Temple University Philadelphia, PA	27 33–28	$35,205/yr	3.0x
310	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, AR	27 33–28	$34,143/yr	8.9x
311	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH	27 34–28	$33,745/yr	5.2x
312	East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN	27 34–28	$32,474/yr	9.4x
313	Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH	27 34–28	$31,492/yr	9.2x
314	SUNY College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NY	27 35–28	$30,318/yr	11.0x
315	Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL	27 35–28	$29,426/yr	9.0x
316	Alabama A & M University Normal, AL	27 35–28	$28,877/yr	10.6x
317	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR	27 35–29	$26,728/yr	14.5x
318	Simpson College Indianola, IA	26 28–26	$43,635/yr	1.2x
319	Union University Jackson, TN	26 29–27	$41,320/yr	2.0x
320	Bay Path University Longmeadow, MA	26 29–26	$41,141/yr	1.9x
321	Mary Baldwin University Staunton, VA	26 29–26	$40,887/yr	2.0x
322	Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, RI	26 31–27	$37,266/yr	1.3x
323	Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Charlotte, NC	26 31–27	$37,266/yr	1.3x
324	Johnson C Smith University Charlotte, NC	26 32–27	$33,847/yr	3.1x
325	University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC	26 32–26	$33,245/yr	7.2x
326	Marshall University Huntington, WV	26 33–27	$32,282/yr	9.6x
327	Idaho State University Pocatello, ID	26 34–27	$32,082/yr	10.2x
328	Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MS	26 34–27	$31,811/yr	10.5x
329	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, AR	26 33–27	$30,901/yr	6.9x
330	University of Hawaii-West Oahu Kapolei, HI	26 34–27	$29,588/yr	8.8x
331	North Carolina Central University Durham, NC	26 34–27	$28,522/yr	9.9x
332	Anderson University Anderson, IN	25 30–26	$35,722/yr	1.5x
333	Missouri Baptist University Saint Louis, MO	25 31–26	$35,595/yr	1.7x
334	Seattle University Seattle, WA	25 31–26	$35,398/yr	2.0x
335	Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA	25 31–26	$35,194/yr	2.4x
336	Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX	25 31–25	$34,330/yr	2.1x
337	Concord University Athens, WV	25 32–26	$32,499/yr	8.7x
338	University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA	25 33–27	$31,419/yr	9.0x
339	University of Southern Maine Portland, ME	25 33–26	$29,716/yr	9.2x
340	SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NY	25 32–26	$25,197/yr	11.5x
341	New College of Florida Sarasota, FL	25 28–25	$20,395/yr	14.2x
342	Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN	24 30–25	$35,931/yr	0.9x
343	Thomas More College of Liberal Arts Merrimack, NH	24 30–25	$33,863/yr	1.9x
344	Arlington Baptist University Arlington, TX	24 31–25	$32,360/yr	3.2x
345	Illinois State University Normal, IL	24 31–25	$31,745/yr	6.0x
346	Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL	24 32–26	$30,939/yr	7.8x
347	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI	24 32–25	$30,916/yr	6.3x
348	Morehead State University Morehead, KY	24 32–25	$30,055/yr	9.1x
349	Montclair State University Montclair, NJ	24 29–25	$22,201/yr	8.3x
350	St. Joseph's University-New York Brooklyn, NY	23 28–24	$38,090/yr	2.0x
351	Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY	23 29–24	$35,316/yr	0.3x
352	California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA	23 29–24	$34,989/yr	1.9x
353	Ripon College Ripon, WI	23 29–24	$34,731/yr	0.7x
354	California Baptist University Riverside, CA	23 30–24	$33,793/yr	2.5x
355	Thomas Aquinas College Santa Paula, CA	23 30–24	$33,432/yr	3.3x
356	Benedict College Columbia, SC	23 30–24	$33,120/yr	4.7x
357	Bethel University Mishawaka, IN	23 30–24	$31,754/yr	3.1x
358	Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR	23 30–24	$31,309/yr	2.9x
359	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, CA	23 31–24	$27,303/yr	11.0x
360	SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NY	23 31–24	$27,165/yr	7.1x
361	New Mexico Highlands University Las Vegas, NM	23 31–24	$26,461/yr	8.1x
362	The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA	23 31–24	$26,328/yr	10.6x
363	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA	23 30–23	$24,879/yr	8.9x
364	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, GA	23 29–24	$23,157/yr	9.7x
365	University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC	23 28–24	$22,144/yr	12.5x
366	University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI	23 27–24	$20,074/yr	9.4x
367	Concordia University Texas Austin, TX	22 27–23	$36,012/yr	2.1x
368	Lesley University Cambridge, MA	22 27–22	$35,658/yr	2.2x
369	Aquinas College Grand Rapids, MI	22 29–23	$33,555/yr	1.2x
370	Centenary University Hackettstown, NJ	22 29–23	$32,988/yr	1.2x
371	John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR	22 29–23	$32,974/yr	1.7x
372	Oakwood University Huntsville, AL	22 29–23	$30,724/yr	2.5x
373	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA	22 29–23	$30,437/yr	6.7x
374	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, WA	22 29–23	$30,437/yr	6.7x
375	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA	22 29–23	$30,437/yr	6.5x
376	Western Connecticut State University Danbury, CT	22 29–23	$27,784/yr	4.4x
377	Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC	22 30–23	$27,221/yr	8.4x
378	Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MS	22 29–23	$26,269/yr	6.7x
379	Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, LA	22 30–23	$25,777/yr	7.6x
380	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, OH	21 29–22	$28,620/yr	6.5x
381	Bluefield State University Bluefield, WV	21 28–22	$25,677/yr	5.3x
382	Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY	20 25–21	$36,318/yr	1.0x
383	Juniata College Huntingdon, PA	20 27–21	$31,548/yr	0.4x
384	Providence College Providence, RI	20 27–21	$31,117/yr	1.7x
385	Magdalen College Warner, NH	20 27–21	$29,035/yr	2.1x
386	Portland State University Portland, OR	20 26–21	$23,253/yr	8.6x
387	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY	20 24–20	$21,170/yr	6.1x
388	Appalachian State University Boone, NC	20 24–20	$21,143/yr	6.0x
389	Limestone University Gaffney, SC	19 27–20	$31,235/yr	2.9x
390	Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, NY	19 27–20	$30,102/yr	1.0x
391	Harding University Searcy, AR	19 27–20	$27,686/yr	3.9x
392	Villanova University Villanova, PA	19 27–20	$25,436/yr	1.9x
393	Lander University Greenwood, SC	19 26–20	$25,204/yr	7.4x
394	Drew University Madison, NJ	18 26–19	$28,961/yr	2.2x
395	Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL	18 26–19	$28,890/yr	2.5x
396	Allen University Columbia, SC	18 24–19	$23,371/yr	3.1x
397	University of Louisville Louisville, KY	18 24–19	$22,239/yr	7.4x
398	Lincoln University Jefferson City, MO	18 22–18	$21,282/yr	8.7x
399	Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Arecibo, PR	18 22–19	$19,848/yr	10.5x
400	Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Ponce, PR	18 22–19	$19,848/yr	10.3x
401	Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Mayaguez, PR	18 22–19	$19,848/yr	10.5x
402	Providence Christian College Pasadena, CA	17 24–18	$32,598/yr	1.6x
403	Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach, FL	17 24–18	$25,459/yr	5.4x
404	Francis Marion University Florence, SC	17 22–17	$21,838/yr	7.2x
405	North Greenville University Tigerville, SC	16 24–18	$29,506/yr	2.7x
406	Glenville State University Glenville, WV	16 23–17	$24,636/yr	6.3x
407	Northwest Nazarene University Nampa, ID	15 23–17	$25,923/yr	0.6x
408	Pace University New York, NY	15 22–16	$25,595/yr	0.2x
409	Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OK	15 21–15	$23,445/yr	1.0x
410	Cumberland University Lebanon, TN	15 21–15	$23,264/yr	1.1x
411	Southern Virginia University Buena Vista, VA	15 20–15	$22,024/yr	4.1x
412	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX	14 22–15	$28,328/yr	1.4x
413	University of La Verne La Verne, CA	14 22–15	$25,945/yr	1.9x
414	Livingstone College Salisbury, NC	13 18–13	$21,640/yr	3.3x
415	Goddard College Plainfield, VT	13 16–13	$19,331/yr	3.5x
416	The New School New York, NY	12 20–13	$27,701/yr	0.8x
417	Concordia University-Irvine Irvine, CA	12 17–12	$22,652/yr	1.9x
418	Soka University of America Aliso Viejo, CA	12 16–13	$19,776/yr	2.3x
419	The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA	12 14–12	$18,621/yr	2.2x
420	St. John's College Annapolis, MD	11 18–12	$25,307/yr	1.3x
421	Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NY	10 18–11	$25,846/yr	0.7x
422	St. John's College Santa Fe, NM	9 15–10	$23,029/yr	0.8x
423	Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA	9 15–10	$22,335/yr	1.0x
424	Hampshire College Amherst, MA	8 13–9	$21,113/yr	0.4x

Highest Earning Liberal Arts and Sciences Programs

Schools where Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School	1-Year Earnings	DW Score
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	$103,135/yr	46
DePaul University	$84,066/yr	52
Molloy College	$74,868/yr	43
Bentley University	$72,333/yr	52
Champlain College	$71,207/yr	38
Georgetown University	$66,719/yr	53
Thomas More University	$62,607/yr	40
Drexel University	$62,470/yr	38
American Public University System	$62,059/yr	51
Yale University	$61,133/yr	37

Best ROI for Liberal Arts and Sciences

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Liberal Arts and Sciences.

School	ROI Multiple	Earnings	DW Score
Clayton State University	24.0x	$37,898/yr	45
Potomac State College of West Virginia University	23.9x	$34,883/yr	42
Florida Atlantic University	23.5x	$29,605/yr	35
West Virginia University at Parkersburg	23.4x	$32,909/yr	37
University of North Georgia	23.1x	$37,981/yr	43
Weber State University	22.0x	$39,864/yr	49
Fort Hays State University	21.8x	$42,795/yr	48
College of Staten Island CUNY	21.5x	$25,967/yr	39
Montana State University Billings	20.8x	$29,832/yr	39
University of Central Florida	20.6x	$48,391/yr	52

Want to compare two Liberal Arts and Sciences programs side by side? Use the comparison tool →

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Consider the Trade Route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates earn?

Across 424 schools, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates earn an average of $37,173 per year in their first year after graduation. Earnings range from $18,621 to $103,135 depending on the school.

What is the AI automation risk for Liberal Arts and Sciences?

Liberal Arts and Sciences is rated "Low" for AI automation risk, with an average of 16% of job tasks exposed to large language models and AI tools. This means relatively few career tasks in this field could be augmented or replaced by AI over the next decade.

Which school has the best Liberal Arts and Sciences program?

Based on our DegreeOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), Metropolitan State University ranks #1 for Liberal Arts and Sciences with a score of 55/100 and graduate earnings of $49,083/yr.

What's the outlook for a Liberal Arts and Sciences degree?

On average, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates earn 9.0x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a moderate return — school choice matters significantly.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →