Did you know that a liberal arts education has significant value in the modern workforce? Yes, indeed, because of the transferable skills that it brings to the table. As their name implies, transferable skills have broad applications across diverse industries.

Employers increasingly seek transferable skills gained from liberal arts degrees, too. Critical thinking, communication, and adaptability are among the most sought-after skills. These are core strengths that can increase your job prospects in diverse fields.

So, in this article, we’ll discuss the 10 best liberal arts degrees. Then, we’ll cover the career opportunities that these degrees can unlock.

Related:

• Top Affordable Liberal Arts Degrees with High Salary and ROI
• Long-Term ROI: How Degree Choice Impacts Lifetime Earnings
• Liberal Arts vs Fine Arts Degrees
• Low-Cost Degrees with High ROI for Non-Traditional Students
• Best ROI Degrees for Career Changers

What Makes a Liberal Arts Degree “Versatile”?

The best liberal arts degrees are versatile because they are:

• Applicable across industries, say, from teaching to technology 
• Adaptable for career changes, those who want to take advantage of emerging job markets
• Built on strong core skills that provide a solid foundation for successful careers

These academic programs encourage students to pursue broad intellectual development. As a result, develop valuable soft skills, including:

• Critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Problem-solving
• Writing

These transferable skills are valuable in the tech, business, and education industries. Professionals in the public service and nonprofit sectors must also have them.

Top Liberal Arts Degrees for Versatile Career Options

Psychology

This is among the best liberal arts degrees with career flexibility for many reasons. First, an understanding of human behavior has diverse applications. Graduates are sought after in roles that demand analysis, empathy, and problem-solving.

Second, graduates work well in client-facing and team-based roles.

Popular industries and job roles are in:

• Human resources
• Marketing
• Social work
• Education
• User experience design

The average annual salary range is $40,000–$75,000 (varies by role and experience).

Explore affordable psychology programs at:

• Fort Hays State University
• Southern New Hampshire University

Communications

This is among the most versatile college majors because every organization must communicate. Graduates have strong written and oral communication skills that employers look for.

Common industries and job roles include:

• Public relations
• Media
• Corporate communications
• Digital marketing

The average salary range is $45,000–$80,000/year.

These nonprofit universities offer affordable communications programs.

• University of Arkansas Grantham
• Bellevue University

English

The best English programs focus on writing, literature, and critical analysis. Effective communication and critical thinking skills are valuable across many industries.

The best industries and careers for liberal arts graduates with English degrees are:

• Technical writing
• Editing
• Content strategy
• Education
• Publishing

English majors are in demand, too, in both the legacy and digital industries. The average salary range is $40,000–$75,000/year.

Affordable online programs are offered by:

• University of the People
• Eastern Oregon University

Sociology

This is among the liberal arts majors that pay well, especially with advanced degrees. The field itself studies social insights and behaviors and, thus, provides actionable insights.

Sociology majors prepare for diverse roles that address societal and individual needs. Common industries and job roles include:

• Policy analysis
• Nonprofit work
• Public administration
• Counseling

The average salary range is $40,000–$70,000/year.

Explore the affordable sociology programs at:

• SUNY Empire State College
• New Mexico Highlands University

Political Science

The academic discipline explores government systems, public policy, and political behavior. This is among the useful liberal arts degrees because it opens opportunities in:

• Law
• Public policy
• Advocacy
• International relations

Graduates understand politics and political structures. We live in a world where both touch our daily lives. Public policies, for example, affect healthcare, housing, and education.

The average salary range for graduates is $50,000–$90,000/year.

Check out these reputable colleges that offer affordable programs.

• University of Florida Online
• University of Maryland Global Campus

Economics

This is among the best liberal arts degrees with high ROI – affordable cost, high income. This is especially true with an advanced degree or technical certifications.

Economics majors study markets, financial systems, and resource allocation. Their skills are sought after in diverse industries like:

• Finance
• Business analytics
• Consulting
• Government

The average salary range for these jobs is $55,000–$100,000/year.

Affordable colleges that offer economics programs include:

• Western Governors University
• University of North Carolina Online

History

This is among the best majors for transferable skills and versatile career options. History majors study past events and societies. As such, they develop strong critical thinking and research skills.

Their skills enable them to compete for well-paying roles in:

• Museum work
• Archival research
• Law
• Education
• Public history

A master’s degree may be required for some roles.

The average salary range is $40,000–$75,000/year.

Affordable nonprofit colleges that offer the major are:

• Southern New Hampshire University
• Liberty University

Liberal Studies / General Liberal Arts

The beauty of a liberal arts or general liberal arts degree is in its excellent versatility. Students can customize their education based on their interests and goals. You can complete media studies and information technology courses for a tech career.

This is possible because liberal studies programs offer a comprehensive curriculum. Graduates can then pursue careers in:

• Administration
• Education
• Media

The salary range is $40,000–$70,000/year, on average.

Affordable liberal arts programs are available at:

• Thomas Edison State University
• Granite State College

Anthropology

This is the study of human societies and cultures, as well as the biological aspects of humans. Anthropology majors gain cultural competence skills that open opportunities in:

• Global health
• UX research
• Cultural analysis
• NGOs

Anthropologists usually have master’s degrees and can earn upwards of $104,510/year (BLS, May 2024). The average salary range, however, is $45,000–$75,000/year.

These universities offer affordable anthropology programs.

• Oregon State University Ecampus
• Troy University

Philosophy

This is among the best online liberal arts degrees for career change due to its broad applications. Philosophy explores logic, ethics, and reasoning. The emphasis on deep analytical skills opens opportunities in diverse areas, including:

• Ethics roles
• Law
• Tech policy
• Communications

The average salary range is $50,000–$85,000/year. An advanced degree can boost earning potential.

Affordable nonprofit colleges offering the major are:

• University of New Orleans
• University of Arizona Online

Benefits of Choosing a Liberal Arts Degree for Career Versatility

Earning a liberal arts degree has its merits that every student must consider:

• Prepare students for multiple career changes, essential in today’s evolving job market. You’ll have the skills to make a smooth transition between jobs and industries.
• Form a strong foundation for graduate studies in law, business, and counseling. You’ll develop critical thinking, communication, and research skills vital in these areas.
• Establish a strong foundation for long-term adaptability and satisfaction. You must, of course, take deliberate actions to make it so. But studies show liberal arts degree holders often outperform peers in these aspects.

How to Make Your Liberal Arts Degree Even More Marketable

Keep in mind that the best liberal arts degrees are only tools in your hands. As such, you must consider these steps to make them more marketable.

• Combine with a minor or certificate, such as in data analytics or project management. You’ll then have technical and transferable skills.
• Pursue internships or real-world projects. Your hands-on experience becomes your competitive edge.
• Build a strong digital portfolio, such as writing, projects, and leadership roles. You have tangible evidence not only of your skills but also of your potential.

Liberal Arts Degree vs Career Path vs Potential Salary

Liberal Arts Degree	Popular Career Paths	Potential Annual Salary Range
Psychology	Human resources, marketing, social work, education, and user experience design	$40,000 – $75,000
Communications	Media, corporate communications, and digital marketing	$45,000 – $80,000
English	Technical writing, editing, content strategy, education, and publishing	$40,000 – $75,000
Sociology	Policy analysis, nonprofit work, public administration, and counseling	$40,000 – $70,000
Political Science	Law, public policy, advocacy, and international relations	$50,000 – $90,000
Economics	Finance, business analytics, consulting, and government	$55,000 – $100,000
History	Museum work, archival research, law, education, and public history	$40,000 – $75,000
Liberal Studies/General Liberal Arts	Administration, education, and media	$40,000 – $70,000
Anthropology	Global health, UX research, cultural analysis, and NGOs	$45,000 – $75,000
Philosophy	Ethics roles, law, tech policy, and communications	$50,000 – $85,000

How to Choose the Right Liberal Arts Degree for You

Not every single one of the best liberal arts degrees will serve your purposes. You must then keep in mind these steps to choose the right one.

• Consider your interests and strengths. Is it in writing, people, analysis, or strategy? You must align your interests and goals with your degree choice.
• Look for affordable nonprofit colleges with strong online/hybrid offerings. You’ll then enjoy quality education without incurring significant student loan debt.
• Think long-term: Which degree gives you skills that can adapt over time? You’ll have versatile skills that boost your competitiveness across diverse industries.

Conclusion + Call to Action

Indeed, the best liberal arts degrees offer powerful versatility and real career potential. Their emphasis on transferable skills makes graduates valuable across different industries.

So, whether you’re a new student or a career changer, consider these degrees. Start by exploring our featured affordable liberal arts programs.