Liberal Arts Reconsidered

Ask twenty people to define a “liberal arts education,” and you may get twenty different answers. You’ll probably hear a few misconceptions along the way, too.

So let’s clear up some of the most common myths.

Myth 1: Liberal arts majors are all politically progressive

False.

The word liberal in “liberal arts” has nothing to do with political ideology. It comes from the Latin artes liberales, referring to the knowledge and skills considered important for a free person to participate meaningfully in civic life.

Students across the political spectrum pursue liberal arts degrees.

Myth 2: STEM subjects aren’t part of the liberal arts

False.

Chemistry, physics, astronomy, and mathematics are all traditional liberal arts disciplines.

The liberal arts also include the humanities—such as English, music, philosophy, and theater—and the social sciences, including history, economics, psychology, and political science.

Programs designed primarily for preparation for a specific profession, such as nursing, business, or engineering, are generally considered pre-professional rather than liberal arts programs.

Myth 3: You have to attend a small liberal arts college

False.

You can receive a liberal arts education at many different kinds of institutions.

Small liberal arts colleges may be especially known for this model, but large public universities and major research institutions also have colleges of arts and sciences offering extensive liberal arts programs.

The question is less about the size of the university and more about the type of education and academic experience you want.

Myth 4: A liberal arts degree doesn’t prepare you for a career

There’s a little more nuance here.

A liberal arts degree usually isn’t designed to train you for one narrowly defined job. Instead, students develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, research, writing, and complex problem-solving.

Those skills can apply across many industries and can make it easier to shift directions as careers evolve.

But the degree alone isn’t enough.

Liberal arts students should still take advantage of internships, campus leadership, employment, research, networking, and career services. Those experiences help connect an academic education to the working world.

Myth 5: Liberal arts graduates are destined to be underemployed

False.

Liberal arts graduates work across virtually every sector, including business, technology, healthcare, government, media, education, and nonprofit organizations.

The flexibility of the degree can actually be an advantage because graduates aren’t locked into a single career path.

Jennifer’s original piece also points to research from the Hamilton Project showing that graduates from liberal arts disciplines build careers across a wide range of industries. 

What Employers Actually Value

One of the strongest arguments for a liberal arts education is the skill set it develops.

Jennifer’s original article cites research from the Association of American Colleges and Universities showing that employers place significant value on a candidate’s ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and solve complex problems. 

Those are exactly the kinds of skills liberal arts programs are designed to strengthen.

Students can make those skills even more valuable by using college intentionally:

  • Visit career services early rather than waiting until senior year.
  • Pursue internships, research, co-ops, or meaningful employment.
  • Build relationships with professors.
  • Attend networking and career events.
  • Use electives and flexible scheduling to develop complementary skills.

What About Earnings?

This is another area where the answer is more complicated than the stereotype.

Some majors—particularly engineering and other highly technical fields—tend to produce higher starting salaries.

Liberal arts graduates may begin their careers earning less, but Jennifer’s original article notes research suggesting that earnings can grow substantially over time, narrowing some of that initial gap. 

Salary also depends on far more than undergraduate major: industry, location, graduate education, experience, career choices, and individual ambition all matter.

The Takeaway

Choosing a major shouldn’t come down to a simple question of, “Will this degree get me a job?”

A better question is:

What kind of education will help me build the skills, experiences, and direction I need for the future I want?

For some students, that will be a highly specialized professional program. For others, the breadth and flexibility of a liberal arts education may be exactly the right fit.

The goal is to understand what you’re choosing before dismissing an entire category of education based on myths.