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Liberal Arts and Humanities: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Liberal Arts and Humanities offers a broad, interdisciplinary foundation designed to cultivate critical thinking, effective communication, and a deep understanding of human culture and society. This program emphasizes intellectual exploration across diverse fields, preparing students for advanced study or careers that demand analytical reasoning, creativity, and cultural awareness.

  • Philosophy: The study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, and reason, fostering logical analysis and ethical reflection.
  • History: An in-depth examination of past events, societies, and civilizations, enabling students to interpret change over time and understand contemporary global contexts.
  • Literature: Close reading and critical analysis of literary works across genres and periods, enhancing interpretive skills and appreciation for narrative and language.
  • Religious Studies: Academic exploration of religious beliefs, practices, and institutions, promoting cross-cultural understanding and comparative analysis.
  • Art and Music: Study of visual and performing arts, including historical development, aesthetic principles, and cultural significance.
  • Language and Linguistics: Investigation of language structure, evolution, and usage, supporting communication skills and cultural literacy.
  • Classical Studies: Examination of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, including their languages, literature, history, and enduring influence on modern thought.
  • Interdisciplinary Humanities: Integrated approaches that combine multiple fields to explore complex human experiences and societal themes.

Liberal Arts and Humanities Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

45,889
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
379
Universities & Colleges
N/A
Career Pathways

Liberal Arts and Humanities Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Liberal Arts and Humanities degrees, including . These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements.


Career salary data is not available for this program.

Top Universities for Liberal Arts and Humanities by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 100 institutions offering Liberal Arts and Humanities programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Liberal Arts and Humanities is found at Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (7,556 graduates), Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (5,824 graduates), University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (2,577 graduates), Chattahoochee Technical College (1,819 graduates), and University of Southern Indiana (USI) (1,329 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 41,027 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.

College Name Award Levels Graduates Admissions Location Control Website
Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
7,556 N/A Indianapolis, Indiana Public ivytech.edu
Indiana University (IUB)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
5,824 SAT: 1170-1400
ACT: 27-32
Bloomington, Indiana Public indiana.edu
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
Associate's
Bachelor's
2,577 N/A Adelphi, Maryland Public umgc.edu
Chattahoochee Technical College
Other Award
1,819 N/A Marietta, Georgia Public chattahoocheetech.edu
University of Southern Indiana (USI)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
1,329 SAT: 1020-1220
ACT: 22-28
Evansville, Indiana Public usi.edu
Kent State University
Associate's
Bachelor's
1,206 N/A North Canton, Ohio Public kent.edu
Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC)
Associate's
Other Award
1,082 N/A Griffin, Georgia Public sctech.edu
Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech)
Other Award
1,032 N/A Lawrenceville, Georgia Public gwinnetttech.edu
Vincennes University (VU)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
994 N/A Vincennes, Indiana Public vinu.edu
Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC)
Associate's
Other Award
794 N/A Warner Robins, Georgia Public centralgatech.edu
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Associate's
715 N/A Manchester, New Hampshire Private snhu.edu
Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech)
Other Award
697 N/A Atlanta, Georgia Public atlantatech.edu
Montgomery College (MC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
695 N/A Rockville, Maryland Public montgomerycollege.edu
Athens Technical College (Athens Tech)
Other Award
642 N/A Athens, Georgia Public athenstech.edu
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
508 N/A Baltimore, Maryland Public ccbcmd.edu
Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC)
Associate's
465 N/A Springfield, Missouri Public otc.edu
Germanna Community College (GCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
462 N/A Locust Grove, Virginia Public germanna.edu
Prince George's Community College (PGCC)
Associate's
Other Award
454 N/A Largo, Maryland Public pgcc.edu
Laurel Ridge Community College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
451 N/A Middletown, Virginia Public laurelridge.edu
Anne Arundel Community College (AACC)
Associate's
404 N/A Arnold, Maryland Public aacc.edu
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
376 N/A Richmond, Virginia Public reynolds.edu
Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC)
Associate's
374 N/A Fayetteville, North Carolina Public faytechcc.edu
College of Southern Maryland (CSM)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
338 N/A La Plata, Maryland Public csmd.edu
Central Virginia Community College (CVCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
299 N/A Lynchburg, Virginia Public centralvirginia.edu
East Central Community College (ECCC)
Associate's
284 N/A Decatur, Mississippi Public eccc.edu
University of Wisconsin (UWGB)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
271 ACT: 18-25 Green Bay, Wisconsin Public uwgb.edu
Front Range Community College (FRCC)
Associate's
230 N/A Westminster, Colorado Public frontrange.edu
Harford Community College (HCC)
Associate's
224 N/A Bel Air, Maryland Public harford.edu
Rappahannock Community College (RCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
215 N/A Glenns, Virginia Public rappahannock.edu
Oakland Community College (OCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
214 N/A Auburn Hills, Michigan Public oaklandcc.edu
Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC)
Associate's
211 N/A Omaha, Nebraska Public mccneb.edu
Meridian Community College (MCC)
Associate's
206 N/A Meridian, Mississippi Public meridiancc.edu
West Georgia Technical College (WGTC)
Associate's
Other Award
196 N/A Waco, Georgia Public westgatech.edu
Brightpoint Community College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
194 N/A Chester, Virginia Public brightpoint.edu
Indiana University (IU Indianapolis)
Bachelor's
192 SAT: 1040-1230
ACT: 21-28
Indianapolis, Indiana Public indianapolis.iu.edu
Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC)
Other Award
185 N/A Thomasville, Georgia Public southernregional.edu
Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC)
Associate's
178 N/A Albany, Oregon Public linnbenton.edu
Craven Community College
Associate's
176 N/A New Bern, North Carolina Public cravencc.edu
University of Wisconsin (UWO)
Associate's
175 ACT: 18-24 Oshkosh, Wisconsin Public uwosh.edu
Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
174 N/A Weyers Cave, Virginia Public brcc.edu
Southeastern Technical College (STC)
Other Award
169 N/A Vidalia, Georgia Public southeasterntech.edu
Virginia Western Community College (VWCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
165 N/A Roanoke, Virginia Public virginiawestern.edu
Arapahoe Community College (ACC)
Associate's
162 N/A Littleton, Colorado Public arapahoe.edu
Bristol Community College
Associate's
162 N/A Fall River, Massachusetts Public bristolcc.edu
Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
159 N/A Alberta, Virginia Public southside.edu
Frederick Community College (FCC)
Associate's
156 N/A Frederick, Maryland Public frederick.edu
University of Wisconsin
Associate's
Other Award
149 ACT: 18-24 Whitewater, Wisconsin Public uww.edu
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)
Associate's
147 ACT: 18-24 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Public uwm.edu
Pitt Community College (PCC)
Associate's
146 N/A Winterville, North Carolina Public pittcc.edu
George Mason University
Bachelor's
146 SAT: 1140-1340
ACT: 25-30
Fairfax, Virginia Public www2.gmu.edu
Cumberland University (CU)
Associate's
145 N/A Lebanon, Tennessee Private cumberland.edu
Itawamba Community College (ICC)
Associate's
141 N/A Fulton, Mississippi Public iccms.edu
Albany Technical College
Other Award
140 N/A Albany, Georgia Public albanytech.edu
Pikes Peak State College (PPSC)
Associate's
139 N/A Colorado Springs, Colorado Public pikespeak.edu
Oakland University (OU)
Bachelor's
139 SAT: 995-1185 Rochester Hills, Michigan Public oakland.edu
Western Illinois University (WIU)
Bachelor's
134 N/A Macomb, Illinois Public wiu.edu
Troy University (TROY)
Associate's
133 SAT: 950-1160
ACT: 18-25
Troy, Alabama Public troy.edu
Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
133 N/A Hampton, Virginia Public vpcc.edu
Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC)
Associate's
132 N/A Baton Rouge, Louisiana Public mybrcc.edu
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
127 N/A Annandale, Virginia Public nvcc.edu
The University of Texas
Bachelor's
Other Award
121 SAT: 1230-1490
ACT: 27-33
Austin, Texas Public utexas.edu
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Associate's
Bachelor's
120 SAT: 1280-1460
ACT: 29-33
Rochester, New York Private rit.edu
University of Wisconsin (UWL)
Associate's
Bachelor's
117 ACT: 21-27 La Crosse, Wisconsin Public uwlax.edu
Community College of Denver (CCD)
Associate's
114 N/A Denver, Colorado Public ccd.edu
Mountain Empire Community College (MECC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
114 N/A Big Stone Gap, Virginia Public mecc.edu
Kent State University
Associate's
Bachelor's
111 N/A Warren, Ohio Public kent.edu
Kent State University
Associate's
Bachelor's
111 N/A Burton, Ohio Public kent.edu
Southeastern Community College (SCC)
Associate's
107 N/A Whiteville, North Carolina Public sccnc.edu
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Associate's
Other Award
104 N/A Valdosta, Georgia Public wiregrass.edu
Tidewater Community College (TCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
103 N/A Norfolk, Virginia Public tcc.edu
Valdosta State University (VSU)
Bachelor's
102 SAT: 950-1130
ACT: 17-23
Valdosta, Georgia Public valdosta.edu
Suffolk County Community College (SUNY)
Associate's
101 N/A Selden, New York Public sunysuffolk.edu
Reach University
Bachelor's
101 N/A Oakland, California Private reach.edu
Adams State University
Associate's
98 N/A Alamosa, Colorado Public adams.edu
Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC)
Other Award
97 N/A Sandersville, Georgia Public oftc.edu
Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
94 N/A Martinsville, Virginia Public patrickhenry.edu
Beaufort County Community College (BCCC)
Associate's
93 N/A Washington, North Carolina Public beaufortccc.edu
West Virginia University (WVUP)
Associate's
Bachelor's
93 N/A Parkersburg, West Virginia Public wvup.edu
Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
92 N/A Charlottesville, Virginia Public pvcc.edu
Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW)
Bachelor's
Other Award
90 SAT: 960-1190
ACT: 19-26
Fort Wayne, Indiana Public pfw.edu
North Shore Community College (NSCC)
Associate's
90 N/A Danvers, Massachusetts Public northshore.edu
Indiana University (IUK)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
89 SAT: 970-1180
ACT: 18-26
Kokomo, Indiana Public iuk.edu
University of Massachusetts
Bachelor's
87 SAT: 1300-1480
ACT: 29-33
Amherst, Massachusetts Public umass.edu
University of Central Missouri (UCM)
Bachelor's
85 ACT: 18-24 Warrensburg, Missouri Public ucmo.edu
Cape Fear Community College (CFCC)
Associate's
85 N/A Wilmington, North Carolina Public cfcc.edu
Hagerstown Community College (HCC)
Associate's
84 N/A Hagerstown, Maryland Public hagerstowncc.edu
Wytheville Community College (WCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
84 N/A Wytheville, Virginia Public wcc.vccs.edu
Kent State University
Associate's
Bachelor's
83 N/A New Philadelphia, Ohio Public kent.edu
University of Oklahoma (OU)
Bachelor's
82 SAT: 1140-1330
ACT: 23-29
Norman, Oklahoma Public ou.edu
Allegany College of Maryland (ACM)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
80 N/A Cumberland, Maryland Public allegany.edu
Ogeechee Technical College (OTC)
Other Award
80 N/A Statesboro, Georgia Public ogeecheetech.edu
Community College of Aurora (CCA)
Associate's
79 N/A Aurora, Colorado Public ccaurora.edu
Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
78 N/A Clifton Forge, Virginia Public mgcc.edu
Savannah Technical College
Other Award
76 N/A Savannah, Georgia Public savannahtech.edu
Wor-Wic Community College
Associate's
75 N/A Salisbury, Maryland Public worwic.edu
Northwest Indian College (NWIC)
Associate's
75 N/A Bellingham, Washington Public nwic.edu
Lake Michigan College (LMC)
Associate's
74 N/A Benton Harbor, Michigan Public lakemichigancollege.edu
Great Falls College Montana State University
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
74 N/A Great Falls, Montana Public gfcmsu.edu
Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC)
Associate's
72 N/A Canandaigua, New York Public flcc.edu
Delaware State University (DSU)
Bachelor's
70 SAT: 860-1070
ACT: 22-26
Dover, Delaware Public desu.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Liberal Arts and Humanities programs

Which universities have the largest Liberal Arts and Humanities programs?

Currently 379 accredited institutions offer Liberal Arts and Humanities degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (7,556 graduates), Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (5,824 graduates), and University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (2,577 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.

Is enrollment in Liberal Arts and Humanities growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 17,451 in 2010 to 45,889 in 2023-24. This represents a 163% increase overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.

Related Liberal Arts Programs

Explore similar degree programs within the Liberal Arts field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.

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