Liberal Arts and Sciences

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$39,670

Median Earnings

$52,108

Schools Offering

470

ROI Grade

C+

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $46,399Median: $52,10875th: $58,327

Best Schools for Liberal Arts and Sciences by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology MA · Private	99	$147,998	$20,111	$11,935	A
2	Yale University CT · Private	97	$113,788	$23,777	$15,750	B+
3	Georgetown University DC · Private	93	$112,722	$40,815	$25,000	B
4	Bentley University MA · Private	94	$105,183	$37,930	$26,000	B
5	Columbia University in the City of New York NY · Private	96	$99,679	$21,590	N/A	-
6	University of Chicago IL · Private	98	$96,510	$14,860	N/A	-
7	Northwestern University IL · Private	94	$93,180	$29,167	N/A	-
8	Champlain College VT · Private	49	$91,533	$35,860	$23,949	B+
9	Emory University GA · Private	92	$90,025	$22,585	N/A	-
10	DePaul University IL · Private	68	$86,444	$30,902	$42,350	C+
11	Drexel University PA · Private	82	$84,166	$38,509	$27,154	B
12	University of Hartford CT · Private	49	$80,775	$30,282	N/A	-
13	American Public University System WV · Private	50	$79,734	$9,597	$6,265	A
14	Texas A&M University-College Station TX · Public	89	$79,488	$21,315	N/A	-
15	Life University GA · Private	31	$78,151	$29,791	N/A	-
16	University of Mount Union OH · Private	44	$76,675	$23,280	$27,000	C
17	Union College NY · Private	85	$75,345	$34,561	$24,500	C+
18	Rutgers University-Camden NJ · Public	84	$74,122	$18,745	$23,000	C
19	Rutgers University-New Brunswick NJ · Public	83	$74,122	$24,406	$23,000	C
20	University of Massachusetts-Amherst MA · Public	83	$73,242	$22,383	$25,742	D
21	The University of Texas at Austin TX · Public	90	$73,089	$19,857	$19,052	B
22	William Jewell College MO · Private	72	$72,507	$17,562	$26,831	C+
23	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill NC · Public	94	$72,422	$11,655	$13,000	B+
24	Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia PA · Private	86	$72,048	$29,689	$43,575	D
25	Wesleyan University CT · Private	85	$71,932	$30,177	$16,125	B
26	University of North Dakota ND · Public	77	$71,538	$18,551	$24,901	C
27	Molloy University NY · Private	82	$71,097	$24,347	$31,000	B
28	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities MN · Public	88	$70,788	$16,778	$21,250	B
29	Xavier University OH · Private	65	$69,546	$32,997	$23,250	C+
30	Saint Mary's College of California CA · Private	81	$68,501	$30,378	$27,000	C+
31	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College NY · Public	92	$68,471	$3,033	N/A	-
32	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo CA · Public	96	$68,171	$16,665	$17,500	C+
33	Sacred Heart University CT · Private	66	$68,092	$46,174	$27,000	B
34	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor MI · Public	95	$67,859	$13,138	$20,728	C+
35	Seton Hall University NJ · Private	73	$67,522	$31,446	$25,000	C
36	Montana State University Billings MT · Public	34	$67,304	$16,524	$39,800	F
37	Ave Maria University FL · Private	35	$67,139	$24,860	N/A	-
38	Regis College MA · Private	49	$66,664	$27,477	$27,000	C+
39	Southern New Hampshire University NH · Private	37	$66,656	$36,708	$29,084	C+
40	New York University NY · Private	84	$66,502	$37,050	$21,787	C
41	Wayne State University MI · Public	61	$66,426	$12,766	$18,028	D
42	Empire State University NY · Public	61	$66,111	$11,676	N/A	-
43	Dominican University of California CA · Private	81	$65,780	$35,333	N/A	-
44	Pace University NY · Private	68	$65,637	$30,892	$25,229	D
45	North Carolina State University at Raleigh NC · Public	87	$65,594	$17,303	$25,993	C
46	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus OK · Public	83	$65,474	$15,300	$27,000	C
47	University of Missouri-Columbia MO · Public	77	$65,029	$20,268	$20,569	C+
48	St. Francis College NY · Private	57	$64,725	$18,129	$22,500	B+
49	University of Indianapolis IN · Private	43	$64,325	$21,602	$31,000	D
50	Seattle University WA · Private	79	$64,098	$34,662	$23,500	C

Below Average Value

Is Liberal Arts and Sciences Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for Liberal Arts and Sciences are below average. At $39,670 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

470 schools offer this major, giving you reasonable options. Compare net prices and graduate earnings at your specific target schools - the range between the best and worst ROI within this field is substantial.

The top school for this major by earnings is Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where graduates earn $103,135 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Liberal Arts and Sciences All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Liberal Arts and Sciences

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for Liberal Arts and Sciences by Earnings

Is Liberal Arts and Sciences Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

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