Bachelor’s Degrees in Liberal Arts General Studies
Education Levels of Liberal Arts Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 37,813 people earned their bachelor's degree in liberal arts. This makes it the 13th most popular bachelor's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in liberal arts at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 354,442 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 93,729 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 37,813 |
| Basic Certificate | 23,983 |
| Master’s Degree | 1,693 |
| Graduate Certificate | 199 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 94 |
Earnings of Liberal Arts Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in liberal arts is $36,340. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $31,800 to a high of $41,507.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in liberal arts is $19,782. The school you go to and how long it takes you to graduate, among other things, can cause this number to vary. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $25,684 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $14,121.
The median monthly payment of a liberal arts graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $235.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in liberal arts. About 64.8% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 13,311 |
| Women | 24,502 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of liberal arts bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 1,508 |
| Black or African American | 5,584 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6,752 |
| White | 19,682 |
| International Students | 813 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 3,474 |
Most Popular Liberal Arts Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 1,067 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for liberal arts students seekinga bachelor's degree is Excelsior University. Roughly 21,900 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,621 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Excelsior University. Of these students, 52% were women and 16% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Excelsior University liberal arts graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $36,340.
University of Virginia - Main Campus is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Roughly 25,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $18,823 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,118 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,289 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from University of Virginia. About 61% of this group were women, and 40% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Virginia - Main Campus liberal arts graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $36,340.
The 3rd most popular school in the country for liberal arts majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Southern New Hampshire University. Each year, around 134,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,467 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 1,105 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from SNHU. Of these students, 54% were women and 31% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that SNHU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $36,340.
New York University comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in liberal arts. Roughly 52,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,438 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,826 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 595 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from NYU. Around 43% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 67% were women. New York University liberal arts graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $36,340.
University of North Texas comes in at #5 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in liberal arts. Roughly 40,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,319 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,160 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 560 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from UNT. Of these students, 61% were women and 48% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in liberal arts at University of North Texas make a median salary of 36,340.
Thomas Edison State University comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in liberal arts. Roughly 10,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,638 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,150 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 550 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from TESU. About 63% of this group were women, and 35% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Thomas Edison State University liberal arts graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $36,340.
The 7th most popular school in the country for liberal arts majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is The Evergreen State College. Each year, around 2,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,845 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,402 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 541 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Evergreen. Around 35% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 64% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in liberal arts at The Evergreen State College make a median salary of 36,340.
California State University - Fresno is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Each year, around 25,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 534 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Fresno State. About 84% of this group were women, and 79% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Fresno State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $36,340.
Northern Arizona University is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Each year, around 29,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,015 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,674 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 498 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from NAU. Of these students, 60% were women and 51% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in liberal arts at Northern Arizona University make a median salary of 36,340.
Brigham Young University - Idaho comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in liberal arts. Each year, around 44,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 422 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from BYU - I. About 84% of this group were women, and 12% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in liberal arts at Brigham Young University - Idaho make a median salary of 36,340.
Arizona State University - Skysong is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Roughly 53,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,170 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 376 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from ASU - Skysong. Around 38% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 57% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in liberal arts at Arizona State University - Skysong make a median salary of 36,340.
The 12th most popular school in the country for liberal arts majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is California State University - Bakersfield. Roughly 11,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 361 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from CSUB. About 85% of this group were women, and 80% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that CSUB graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $36,340.
George Mason University is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Roughly 38,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,726 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 357 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from GMU. About 58% of this group were women, and 59% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in liberal arts at George Mason University make a median salary of 36,340.
Columbia College is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Each year, around 8,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,268 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,200 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 356 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Columbia College Missouri. Around 43% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 51% were women. Columbia College liberal arts graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $36,340.
University of Nebraska at Omaha is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Roughly 15,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,536 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,322 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 346 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from UNOMAHA. Of these students, 52% were women and 31% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of Nebraska at Omaha liberal arts graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $36,340.
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in liberal arts. Roughly 27,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,070 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,903 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 333 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from University of Oklahoma. Around 39% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 58% were women. Data shows that University of Oklahoma graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $36,340.
The 17th most popular school in the country for liberal arts majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is California State University - Northridge. Roughly 40,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 318 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from CSUN. About 83% of this group were women, and 78% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in liberal arts at California State University - Northridge make a median salary of 36,340.
The 18th most popular school in the country for liberal arts majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Each year, around 16,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,407 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,511 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 315 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from UL Lafayette. Around 45% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 58% were women. University of Louisiana at Lafayette liberal arts graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $36,340.
The 18th most popular school in the country for liberal arts majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus. Each year, around 7,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $36,526 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $17,418 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 315 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from FDU. About 44% of this group were women, and 38% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that FDU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $36,340.
Florida International University comes in at #20 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in liberal arts. Each year, around 58,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,721 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,119 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 307 people received their bachelor's degree in liberal arts from FIU. About 63% of this group were women, and 92% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Florida International University liberal arts graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $36,340.
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References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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