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# What can you do with a liberal arts degree?

March 15, 2022 • 12 minutes
Written by[Elizabeth Exline](/blog/authors/elizabeth-exline.html)

Reviewed by[Briana Houlihan](/about/academic-leadership/dean-briana-houlihan.html), MBA, G-PM, Dean, College of General Studies

If college degrees were cliché high school cliques, the business and IT degrees would be the popular kids while the liberal arts degrees would be the theater and debate students. What does that mean for a career? Getting a degree in liberal arts can lead to a variety of roles that can enhance a student's life rather than define it.

## What is a liberal arts degree?

Contrary to what might be assumed from the name, a liberal arts degree refers neither to politics nor art.

Rather, the term _liberal_ refers to freedom of thought and exploration, while _arts_ refers to areas of study like the humanities and social sciences.

As with any education, a liberal arts education enhances one’s knowledge and empowers a person to successfully engage with and shape the world.

The essence of a degree in liberal arts is to encourage critical-thinking, problem-solving and effective communication skills by grounding a student’s education in the various branches of classical knowledge. These are skills that find purpose in a variety of careers.

Instead of honing computer science skills or mastering the styles of leadership, an arts degree offers students the luxury of study and thought.

But that doesn’t mean it’s education for education’s sake.  Liberal arts majors often have the sophistication and curiosity to grow into a variety of roles. Which one simply depends on a graduate’s interest.

An arts degree can take many forms, from an online English degree to an online environmental science degree, depending on the institution a student attends.

## What are the liberal arts?

In medieval times, the liberal arts referred to seven key areas of study:

- Grammar, rhetoric and logic (the trivium)
- Geometry, arithmetic, music and astronomy (the quadrivium)

Today, a liberal arts major might study:

- **Literature**: Not only do students get to read some of the greatest books ever written, but they also get to analyze and discuss them with like-minded peers. These are critical-thinking skills that can be applied to virtually any career, whether planning a marketing campaign or analyzing a spreadsheet.  
- **Languages**: French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin — students can find their love language and get ready to study more than just conjugations. This field of study encompasses the origins, culture and literature of  a chosen tongue. Being bilingual can be leveraged in a variety of career outcomes, from translating written works to negotiating business deals.
- **Philosophy**: Enter the realm of Descartes, Pascal and other great philosophers while wrestling with the theoretical concepts that create a framework for life. Philosophy can be foundational for careers in business, law and related fields.
- **History**: There’s no time like the present to make sense of the past. Travel through time and space to understand how yesterday’s people and events shaped the present. This field of study offers foundational knowledge for postgraduate degree programs and careers such as teaching, journalism or writing.
- **Mathematics**: Like languages and philosophy, mathematics can be applied to make sense of the world we live in, from statistics and analysis courses to research projects. This field of study can be applied to careers in business, teaching and more.
- **Science**: Biology and physical sciences, as opposed to physics and chemistry, take center stage in the liberal arts. Science degrees can be applied to a number of careers, from environmental specialists to working in public health to pursuing a postgraduate education.
- **Religion**: Go beyond the familiar to explore the religions and cultures of different times and places. As with history, studying religion can provide a foundation for further study or careers in theology, writing and related fields.
- **Social sciences**: Psychology, sociology, anthropology and even political science and economics all fall under this umbrella. These subjects can lay the groundwork for working in such fields as politics, social work and counseling.

## What are liberal arts colleges?

Liberal arts colleges are higher education institutions whose curriculum and degree programs underscore the classical areas of study mentioned above: the humanities, science, mathematics and the social sciences.

Additionally, they “may offer a curriculum with or without an option for a major,” writes [U.S. News & World Report](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2018-12-07/what-a-liberal-arts-college-is-and-what-students-should-know).

Students may enroll in a liberal arts program at most colleges or universities, but if they attend a liberal arts college, their studies will touch on a wide range of subjects and even experiences.

The same article, for example, references class trips as opportunities for personal exploration and growth, which are valued as part of the liberal arts college experience.

Perhaps even more compelling, a study by the [Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce](https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/Liberal-Arts-ROI.pdf) found, “The ROI at liberal arts institutions is the third highest among the 14 different types of four-year institutions.” That finding, however, is mitigated by other factors such as choice of major, choice of school and regional per capita income.

Liberal arts colleges have a few other traits in common as well:

- **They are usually small**: Classes at liberal arts institutions tend toward intimate class sizes over vast lecture halls with hundreds of students.
- **They focus on undergraduate education**: Traditional state universities show a lot of love to graduate programs, as well as research and publication, while liberal arts colleges home in on the undergraduate experience.  
- **They emphasize learning to learn rather than learning a vocation**: Students at liberal arts colleges are encouraged to pursue broad scholarly study for a dynamic educational experience.

## Is liberal arts an easy degree?

Is research easy? Is critical thought easy? Is effective writing easy? No, and neither is liberal arts.

That said, it _is_ interesting. And for curious students eager to expand their knowledge across disciplines, a liberal arts may not be easy, but it is worth the effort.

Sometimes, a liberal arts degree is considered easy because, depending on the area of study, students may not be required to take more advanced courses in subjects they find challenging. But choosing a degree program based on what a student wants to avoid makes less sense than basing a choice on skills and aptitudes.

## Is a liberal arts degree worth it?

Yes, jobs in business and information technology are growing, but the** **arts, with their focus on the humanities and social sciences, offer students a different way of thinking about their education and careers. Whereas business majors often plan on pursuing careers in that field, the liberal arts are less restrictive. Their holistic approach to learning, thinking and living means students could major in the liberal arts and be as likely to pursue a career in law as poetry.

A degree in liberal arts can be ideal for students with a lot of curiosity about the world and flexibility with regard to their careers. For those looking to pursue a singular career in a technical field like computer science, on the other hand, liberal arts probably isn’t the best use of time or money.

## What is a liberal arts degree good for?

In addition to imparting a love of learning and a broad base of knowledge, liberal arts gives students the privilege of choice.

What does that mean?

Consider the skills covered in a liberal arts program:

- Analytical reasoning
- Critical thinking
- Verbal and written communication
- Research
- Creativity
- Collaboration

These form the foundational [soft skills](https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/8-professional-soft-skills-you-need-for-the-workplace-and-how-to-get-them.html) that are in demand virtually everywhere. That means graduates get transferable skills that can be applied to a variety of roles and industries.

While it’s true that, from a financial standpoint, this degree has a somewhat middling potential, it’s equally true that students will get from it what they put into it. For every study that reveals a degree in liberal arts falls just above early childhood education degrees and just below criminal justice degrees in terms of median lifetime earnings, there is a CEO who defies the odds.

## What are the benefits of studying liberal arts?

How can a degree in liberal arts improve a student's life?

1. It encourages innovation. A liberal arts degree focuses on learning many disciplines and finding connections between disparate subjects. One result of that practice is enhanced problem-solving and innovation.

2. It prepares students to weather the ups and downs of the job market. As [portfolio careers](https://www.phoenix.edu/blog/the-rise-of-the-portfolio-career.html) gain momentum in the modern workplace, candidates with knowledge of a broad range of subjects and transferable skills become more flexible. Another perk? While automation is a real concern for many industries, the liberal arts is a domain relatively free of replacement by artificial intelligence.

3. It can help teachers become better. This doesn’t just apply to professional teachers. Knowing how to share information makes employees and job candidates more valuable colleagues and a potential leaders in the workplace.

4. It lays the foundation for graduate school. Being well-versed in the liberal arts means knowing how to research and learn across various disciplines. This is especially useful for dissertations.

## What jobs can a student prepare for with a liberal arts degree?

Liberal arts are quite versatile, with the ability ti set graduates on track for a variety of careers. Here, are some real-world options.

### Creative writer

**Overview**: Develop written content for various media, including advertisements, blogs, books, magazines and the arts.

**National salary range**: Creative writers earned[between $41,080 and $133,680 in May 2024, with a median wage of $72,270](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm#tab-5), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

**Education requirements**: A college degree in English, communication or journalism is typical.

**Job outlook**: Jobs are projected to grow 4% between 2024 and 2034, [according to BLS](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm#tab-6).

_Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website._

_BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022-2032 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates._

### Technical writer

**Overview**: Convey complex and/or technical information clearly and succinctly via instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles and related documents.

**National salary range**: In May 2024, technical writers earned[between $54,400 and $130,430, with a median wage of $91,670](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm#tab-5), according to BLS.

**Education requirements**: A bachelor’s degree in English, communication or journalism is typical.

**Job outlook**: Jobs are[projected to grow 1%](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm#tab-6)between 2024 and 2034, according to BLS.

### Environmental specialist

**Overview**: Work to protect the environment and human health via knowledge of the natural sciences.

**National salary range**: Environmental specialists earned[between $50,130 and $134,830 with a median wage of $80,060](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm#tab-5), in May 2024, according to BLS.

**Education requirements**: A bachelor’s degree in natural science or a science-related field is typical.

**Job outlook**: Jobs are[projected to grow 4%](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm#tab-6)between 2024 and 2034, according to BLS.

## Can liberal arts prepare a student for law school?

Remember that privilege of choice afforded by a liberal arts degree? It turns out that applies to more than just transferable skills. Liberal arts is the preferred degree for several graduate or professional degrees.

The top 10 majors for law school do not include pre-law. They _do_ include English, history, philosophy and other humanities degrees, as well as some science degrees.

Coupled with a solid LSAT score, these liberal arts majors are attractive to law schools for the educational foundations they provide. Specifically, these are abstract and logical thinking, reading comprehension and reasoning skills.

Perhaps more surprisingly, liberal arts majors may even pursue medical school after completing a bachelor’s degree program. [U.S News & World Report](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/slideshows/13-medical-schools-where-humanities-and-social-sciences-majors-often-attend?slide=2) notes that at least 19% of students entering 12 different medical schools in 2019 did so with a degree in either the humanities or social sciences.

The advantages of pursuing a degree in liberal arts ahead of medical school are profound. For one, it’s a differentiating factor that will set a student apart from most applicants. It’s also a good way to become a more dynamic and relatable doctor.

Does this mean pre-med students should jump ship on their biology degrees and major in philosophy instead? Not exactly. The majority of medical students do pursue majors in a science discipline, and everyone must complete the prerequisite classes no matter which degree he or she pursues. But opting for a degree in the liberal arts can offer graduates more options than they might think.

## Ready to look at liberal arts degree programs?

Where traditional liberal arts colleges create the proverbial ivory tower experience for students, University of Phoenix brings the liberal arts degree program into the real world.

As with all programs at University of Phoenix, the liberal arts offerings are grounded in relevant skills aligned to specific career outcomes, whether that’s working as a[technical writer](/career-guides/liberal-arts/technical-writer.html)or serving as an[environmental specialist](https://www.phoenix.edu/online-liberal-arts-degrees/environmental-science-bachelors-degree.html).

Find out more about an [online English degree](/online-liberal-arts-degrees/english-bachelor-arts-degree.html)at University of Phoenix.

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### ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Exline has been telling stories ever since she won a writing contest in third grade. She's covered design and architecture, travel, lifestyle content and a host of other topics for national, regional, local and brand publications. Additionally, she's worked in content development for Marriott International and manuscript development for a variety of authors.

### ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Briana Houlihan is the dean of the College of General Studies at University of Phoenix. For more than 20 years, Houlihan has strongly advocated for first-generation and underserved working learners. She has made it her mission to enhance the skills focus within general education coursework to bring value to undergraduate students from day one of their program.

This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.   
[Read more about our editorial process.](/blog/editorial-process.html)