College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
General

Liberal Arts

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Liberal Arts.

Entry Level Salary
$35,000
Median Salary
$70,000
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
33.6%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $2,800,000
Entry (Early)
$35,000
Median (Prime)
$70,000
High (Prime)
$74,333

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-140k
+162k
+197k
$25k / yr
-230k
+72k
+107k
$50k / yr
-320k
-18k
+17k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
29
28
$25k / yr
Never
40
37
$50k / yr
Never
Never
56

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
$25k / yr
-212%
66%
99%
$50k / yr
-147%
-8%
8%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate27.6%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Elementary and middle school teachers

9.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$40,609
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$63,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%

Management occupations

4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$42,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,391|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%

Secondary school teachers

2.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,434|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%

Education and childcare administrators

2.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$50,648
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,000|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%

Customer service representatives

1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$44,836|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%

Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive

1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$40,518|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%

Lawyers, judges, and related workers

1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$76,692
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$145,000|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%

Preschool and kindergarten teachers

1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$40,000|$40,090
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$39,393
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,393|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%

Retail salespersons

1.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$22,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$33,627|$34,580
openings
555,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.5%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
classical and ancient studies.Bachelor's Degree3$46,325 - $51,424
liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities.Undergrad Certificate91$28,390 - $71,010
liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities.Associate's Degree917$21,984 - $96,593
liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities.Bachelor's Degree484$27,640 - $119,188
liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities.Post-bacc Certificate2$72,314 - $93,468
liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities.Master's Degree41$51,895 - $104,878
liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities.Doctoral Degree2$70,261 - $70,261
liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities.First Professional Degree1$95,113 - $95,113
liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities.Graduate Certificate5$58,665 - $123,090
museology/museum studies.Undergrad Certificate1$43,539 - $43,539
museology/museum studies.Master's Degree11$43,447 - $63,516
museology/museum studies.Graduate Certificate1Data N/A