Liberal Arts and General Studies
Liberal Arts & Humanities · federal classification: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $43,723 | $39,162 to $49,737 | 106 | 88% |
| Associate's Degree | $42,919 | $39,509 to $46,703 | 957 | 91% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,919 | $45,670 to $58,195 | 503 | 96% |
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | $70,335 | $59,455 to $102,843 | 5 | 100% |
| Master's Degree | $65,846 | $58,389 to $72,960 | 41 | 100% |
| Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | $53,722 | $46,497 to $70,407 | 25 | 92% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +2% (2024 to 2034), about 13,500 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $78,490 | +1.8% | 13,500 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.