Best Schools for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates earn a median of $32,158 within two years of graduation, ranking #196 out of 283 tracked majors — 11% below the median across all fields. There are 420 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 43,112 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Georgetown University graduates earn $62,012 while Mount St. Joseph University graduates earn $15,552 — a $46,460 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is modest: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates see an average 0% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

420
Schools
$32,158
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#196
of 283 Majors
43,112
Graduates

Public vs Private: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Public (267 schools)
$31,141
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (152 schools)
$33,055
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $1,914 more in early earnings on average for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities by State

Top Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
G

Georgetown University

Washington, DC · Private

$62,012
2yr Earnings
1yr: $74,919
Grads: 28
Acceptance: 13.1%
#2
B

Bentley University

Waltham, MA · Private

$60,146
2yr Earnings
1yr: $62,629
Grads: 123
Acceptance: 48.4%
#3
D

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$59,756
2yr Earnings
1yr: $59,652
Grads: 321
Acceptance: 73.5%
#4
N

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public

$55,964
2yr Earnings
1yr: $49,578
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 39.9%
#5
M

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN · Public

$54,713
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,631
Grads: 25
Acceptance: 96.5%
#6
S

St. Francis College

Brooklyn, NY · Private

$52,107
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#7
D

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

$52,107
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 78.8%
#8
S

Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$50,022
2yr Earnings
1yr: $49,042
Grads: 31
Acceptance: 86.4%
#9
S

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH · Private

$47,846
2yr Earnings
1yr: $48,678
Grads: 530
Acceptance: 96.1%
#10
R

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

$47,327
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 94.3%
#11
U

University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT · Private

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,571
Grads: 69
Acceptance: 64.3%
#12
B

Belmont University

Nashville, TN · Private

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,587
Grads: 23
Acceptance: 96.4%
#13
A

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

$45,852
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,835
Grads: 346
Acceptance: 90.2%
#14
F

Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA · Private

$45,852
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 31.8%
#15
A

Arizona State University Digital Immersion

Scottsdale, AZ · Public

$45,852
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,835
Grads: 346
Acceptance: 64.1%
#16
P

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA · Private

$45,696
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 49.9%
#17
U

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH · Private

$45,696
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 61.7%
#18
B

Baker College

Owosso, MI · Private

$45,529
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,375
Grads: 42
Acceptance: 87.5%
#19
P

Providence College

Providence, RI · Private

$45,383
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,024
Grads: 25
Acceptance: 48.7%
#20
W

William Jewell College

Liberty, MO · Private

$43,798
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,825
Grads: 71
Acceptance: 34.3%
#21
C

Champlain College

Burlington, VT · Private

$43,798
2yr Earnings
1yr: $70,375
Grads: 40
Acceptance: 66.7%
#22
S

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private

$43,128
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,744
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 61.2%
#23
S

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA · Private

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,425
Grads: 34
Acceptance: 88.6%
#24
H

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Geneva, NY · Private

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,530
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 57.3%
#25
E

East Central University

Ada, OK · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 65.5%
#26
D

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $52,955
Grads: 61
Acceptance: 77.5%
#27
T

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,928
Grads: 138
Acceptance: 89.5%
#28
L

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$42,235
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,911
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 40.3%
#29
O

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI · Public

$41,937
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,722
Grads: 110
Acceptance: 70.2%
#30
N

Notre Dame of Maryland University

Baltimore, MD · Private

$41,725
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,490
Grads: 39
Acceptance: 86.5%
#31
B

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA · Private

$41,565
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,293
Grads: 42
Acceptance: 90.8%
#32
L

Longwood University

Farmville, VA · Public

$41,119
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 84.8%
#33
R

Rider University

Lawrenceville, NJ · Private

$41,007
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,211
Grads: 33
Acceptance: 79.4%
#34
S

Stockton University

Galloway, NJ · Public

$40,768
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,007
Grads: 87
Acceptance: 88.2%
#35
M

Marymount University

Arlington, VA · Private

$40,485
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,564
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 80.5%
#36
W

William Peace University

Raleigh, NC · Private

$40,467
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 97.4%
#37
B

Blackburn College

Carlinville, IL · Private

$40,456
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 80.1%
#38
X

Xavier University

Cincinnati, OH · Private

$40,455
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,790
Grads: 54
Acceptance: 87.7%
#39
C

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$40,428
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,619
Grads: 103
Acceptance: 96.8%
#40
R

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Mahwah, NJ · Public

$40,318
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,032
Grads: 83
Acceptance: 73.2%
#41
W

Washington College

Chestertown, MD · Private

$40,188
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,318
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 65.5%
#42
U

University of Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN · Private

$40,132
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,279
Grads: 25
Acceptance: 72.8%
#43
T

Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX · Public

$40,037
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,659
Grads: 301
Acceptance: 95.0%
#44
P

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public

$40,017
2yr Earnings
1yr: $49,996
Grads: 28
Acceptance: 50.3%
#45
C

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

$39,927
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 11.4%
#46
U

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · Public

$39,774
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,340
Grads: 234
Acceptance: 41.0%
#47
R

Rowan University

Glassboro, NJ · Public

$39,686
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,175
Grads: 316
Acceptance: 77.8%
#48
U

Union College

Schenectady, NY · Private

$39,585
2yr Earnings
1yr: $41,903
Grads: 31
Acceptance: 43.8%
#49
V

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,247
Grads: 27
Acceptance: 25.1%
#50
U

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,497
Grads: 34
Acceptance: 12.4%

Showing top 50 of 420 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities?
Georgetown University ranks #1 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities with median graduate earnings of $62,012 within two years. There are 420 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates earn?
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates earn an average of $32,158 within two years of graduation. This is 11% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $15,552 to $62,012 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities program?
The average acceptance rate across Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs is 76.9%. The most selective program is at University of Chicago with a 4.8% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities?
Private Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs average $33,055 in early earnings vs $31,141 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

Get Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.