Grad school · Liberal arts and humanities

Liberal arts and general studies graduate programs: earnings and debt by school

142 colleges award master's degrees in liberal arts and general studies. Graduates of the typical program earned $61,194 a year after finishing, and those who borrowed left with a median of $42,083 in federal loans taken at the school.

Master's programs142

Graduates in 2023-241,632

Typical median debt$42,083

Typical earnings 1 yr after$61,194

Typical earnings 4 yrs after$67,145

Earnings to debt1.5x

Official field: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Admission figures such as LSAT, MCAT or GRE scores are not part of this federal data, so check each school.

Degree level	Programs	Typical earnings 1 yr after	Typical median debt
Master's	142	$61,194	$42,083
Doctoral	19	n/a	n/a

Is it worth it? Debt vs first-year pay

Each dot is one master's program. Dots above the dashed line have graduates earning more in their first year than the program's median debt.

Earnings above median debt Debt above first-year earnings

Master's programs in liberal arts and general studies

Highest first-year earnings

DePaul University$82,004

Stony Brook University$79,588

Tennessee State University$74,672

New York University$71,342

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus$68,157

University of Memphis$66,757

CUNY Graduate School and University Center$65,841

University of Pennsylvania$65,784

Filter by school, city or state

College	Graduates (2023-24)	Earnings 1 yr after	Earnings 4 yrs after	Median debt
The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX	17	n/a	$119,127	n/a
Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaMoraga, CA	1	n/a	$108,918	n/a
Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY	50	$79,588	$89,107	$37,973
Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA	0	$82,922	$80,419	n/a
Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN	97	$50,885	$76,590	$35,300
Adams State UniversityAlamosa, CO	0	n/a	$74,831	n/a
DePaul UniversityChicago, IL	21	$82,004	$74,702	n/a
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA	34	$65,784	$72,960	n/a
CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York, NY	38	$65,841	$72,860	$30,750
Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD	26	$64,865	$70,651	n/a
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK	123	$68,157	$70,018	$43,250
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX	24	$57,107	$69,368	n/a
Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX	39	$56,259	$67,586	n/a
Dartmouth CollegeHanover, NH	36	n/a	$67,367	n/a
Duke UniversityDurham, NC	24	n/a	$67,332	n/a
New York UniversityNew York, NY	90	$71,342	$66,958	$93,644
Fort Hays State UniversityHays, KS	16	$56,574	$65,851	n/a
North Central CollegeNaperville, IL	1	n/a	$65,846	n/a
University of MemphisMemphis, TN	17	$66,757	$65,320	n/a
University of St ThomasHouston, TX	9	n/a	$64,943	n/a
University of DallasIrving, TX	42	$58,805	$63,807	n/a
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ	9	$42,594	$63,395	$59,314
Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale, AZ	8	$42,594	$63,395	$59,314
The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX	11	n/a	$62,062	n/a
Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TN	41	$64,502	$61,301	n/a
University of ChicagoChicago, IL	131	$37,141	$60,106	$68,253
University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC	11	$46,981	$59,021	n/a
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA	14	n/a	$55,438	n/a
Tiffin UniversityTiffin, OH	36	$50,426	$53,425	$33,285
Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL	17	n/a	$46,774	n/a
Tennessee State UniversityNashville, TN	13	$74,672	n/a	n/a
Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT	15	$63,583	n/a	n/a
Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN	34	$55,460	n/a	$32,655
University of DenverDenver, CO	27	$48,831	n/a	$42,083
Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene, TX	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Alaska Pacific UniversityAnchorage, AK	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Alcorn State UniversityAlcorn State, MS	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV	21	n/a	n/a	n/a
Binghamton UniversityVestal, NY	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
CUNY Lehman CollegeBronx, NY	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA	12	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Chadron State CollegeChadron, NE	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Clayton State UniversityMorrow, GA	12	n/a	n/a	n/a
Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
College of Staten Island CUNYStaten Island, NY	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
College of the AtlanticBar Harbor, ME	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York, NY	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Dallas Baptist UniversityDallas, TX	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Delta State UniversityCleveland, MS	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Dominican University of CaliforniaSan Rafael, CA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Empire State UniversitySaratoga Springs, NY	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Excelsior UniversityAlbany, NY	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Faulkner UniversityMontgomery, AL	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Fordham UniversityBronx, NY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC	24	n/a	n/a	n/a
Henderson State UniversityArkadelphia, AR	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Hollins UniversityRoanoke, VA	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Hood CollegeFrederick, MD	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Houston Christian UniversityHouston, TX	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-EastRichmond, IN	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-KokomoKokomo, IN	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-NorthwestGary, IN	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-South BendSouth Bend, IN	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, AL	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights, OH	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
La Sierra UniversityRiverside, CA	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Lesley UniversityCambridge, MA	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Long Island UniversityBrookville, NY	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Louisiana State University-ShreveportShreveport, LA	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
Marshall UniversityHuntington, WV	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
McDaniel CollegeWestminster, MD	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Milligan UniversityMilligan, TN	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles, CA	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC	23	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette, MI	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MI	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgMiddletown, PA	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Reed CollegePortland, OR	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Rice UniversityHouston, TX	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Rollins CollegeWinter Park, FL	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Roosevelt UniversityChicago, IL	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Rutgers University-CamdenCamden, NJ	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
SUNY BrockportBrockport, NY	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
SUNY Old WestburyOld Westbury, NY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Saint Joseph's College of MaineStandish, ME	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Saint Norbert CollegeDe Pere, WI	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
St. John's CollegeAnnapolis, MD	29	n/a	n/a	n/a
St. John's CollegeSanta Fe, NM	18	n/a	n/a	n/a
St. John's University-New YorkQueens, NY	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Stanford UniversityStanford, CA	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
Sul Ross State UniversityAlpine, TX	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Texas A&M University-Central TexasKilleen, TX	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
The New SchoolNew York, NY	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of MontanaMissoula, MT	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Towson UniversityTowson, MD	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, AR	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-MercedMerced, CA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of DelawareNewark, DE	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Detroit MercyDetroit, MI	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston, TX	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Illinois SpringfieldSpringfield, IL	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Michigan-FlintFlint, MI	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of New Hampshire-Main CampusDurham, NH	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington, NC	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond, VA	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of South FloridaTampa, FL	14	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ToledoToledo, OH	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Vermont State UniversityRandolph, VT	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis, MO	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Wayland Baptist UniversityPlainview, TX	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Wilson CollegeChambersburg, PA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Winthrop UniversityRock Hill, SC	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT	4	n/a	n/a	n/a

Doctoral programs in liberal arts and general studies

Filter by school, city or state

College	Graduates (2023-24)	Earnings 1 yr after	Earnings 4 yrs after	Median debt
Clark Atlanta UniversityAtlanta, GA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Faulkner UniversityMontgomery, AL	16	n/a	n/a	n/a
George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Salve Regina UniversityNewport, RI	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX	17	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of MontanaMissoula, MT	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-MercedMerced, CA	15	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of MemphisMemphis, TN	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis, MO	1	n/a	n/a	n/a

Frequently asked questions

How much do liberal arts and general studies graduates earn?

Graduates of the typical master's program earned a median of $61,194 one year after finishing, in 2024 dollars.

How much debt do liberal arts and general studies graduate students take on?

The typical program's graduates who borrowed left with a median of $42,083 in federal loans taken at that school. Undergraduate loans are not included.

Undergraduate: Liberal arts and general studies major

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.