In the tech-centric Digital Age, a liberal arts education doesn’t seem like a lucrative path. But you’ll be surprised by its value in the current job market.

The best liberal arts programs emphasize a well-rounded education and sought-after soft skills. Employers seek strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, among others.

So, the misconception that liberal arts degrees don’t lead to high-paying careers is just that. In fact, you can earn competitive salaries and career growth opportunities. As is the case with all degrees, the trick is in your ability to leverage your degree.

Are you interested in what a liberal arts degree can offer? Read on because we’ll discuss affordable liberal arts degrees with strong returns.

Related:

• Affordable Tech Degrees with High Salary Potential
• Top Affordable Education Degrees with High ROI
• Low-Cost Degrees with High ROI for Non-Traditional Students
• Top Business Degrees with High ROI and Low Tuition

What Counts as a “Liberal Arts” Degree?

The term “liberal arts” encompasses a wide range of academic disciplines. Liberal arts degrees fall into four key areas as follows:

• Humanities include English, history, philosophy, and languages
• Social sciences cover sociology, psychology, political science, and economics
• Natural sciences include physics, environmental science, and biology, with a generalist perspective
• Arts cover music, visual arts, theater, and design

These disciplines offer students diverse views about human society, behavior, and thought. The knowledge and skills provide a strong foundation for diverse career paths.

The valuable skills that you’ll develop regardless of the degree you pursue are:

• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Leadership
• Adaptability

These skills are in demand across diverse industries, too, from technology to teaching.

Why ROI Matters in Liberal Arts Degrees

In the context of education, return on investment (ROI) refers to a degree’s financial value.

In formula form, it’s this:

• ROI = Total Career Earnings – Cost of Education / Cost of Education  x 100

So, let’s assume that you spent $38,270/year—or $153,080 over four years—on your liberal arts degree. Then, let’s assume that you became a mediator with a median salary of $144,000/year.

If you have a 30-year career, your ROI is about 2,721%. You earned 27 times your investment.

Furthermore, graduates of low-cost programs can enjoy high-value careers. The open secret: Pair a liberal arts degree with in-demand skills or graduate pathways.

If you want to maximize your returns, earn a degree from nonprofit universities. These institutions tend to offer lower costs and better graduate outcomes.

Top Affordable Liberal Arts Degrees with High ROI

Economics

This is among the liberal arts degrees with high salary potential. The average annual salary for entry-level professionals is $60,000/year. Graduate degree holders have a higher earning potential, upwards of $100,000/year.

Earning an economics degree provides a strong foundation for diverse roles like:

• Financial analyst
• Economist
• Data analyst

Affordable programs are offered by:

• University of Florida
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• Utah State University

Psychology

Psychology degree holders are in high demand in the education, healthcare, and tech sectors. Popular jobs include:

• Human resources specialist
• Mental health counselors (with a master’s degree)
• Research assistant

This is among the best ROI liberal arts majors, especially with a master’s degree. The average salary is $60,000 – $90,000/year.

Check out the programs offered by these universities:

• University of South Florida
• Appalachian State University
• California State University – Long Beach

Communications

The potential career paths for communications degree holders include:

• Public relations specialists
• Digital marketing managers
• Media strategists

When paired with tech certifications, it’s among the high-paying liberal arts degrees. The combo of tech skills and soft skills in public speaking and writing is a marketable one.

The entry-level salary is $50,000/year. Mid-level professionals earn upwards of $75,000/year.

These universities offer affordable programs:

• San Diego State University
• Georgia Southern University
• Eastern Illinois University

English

English majors can enjoy liberal arts careers with good pay with strategic planning. Their writing and content creation skills are in high demand in digital industries.

The potential career paths for English majors include:

• Technical writers
• Editors
• Content strategists

Entry-level salaries are $45,000/year. But technical writers can earn $75,000 – $100,000/year.

Affordable colleges that offer it include:

• Truman State University
• University of Iowa
• SUNY Geneseo

Political Science

The academic discipline provides a strong foundation for law, government, and nonprofit careers. Potential career paths include:

• Policy analysts
• Public administrators
• Campaign managers

Graduate degrees bring in higher income potential, upwards of $100,000/year.

These colleges offer quality yet cheap liberal arts programs online:

• Florida State University
• University of Georgia
• James Madison University

Sociology

Sociology majors prepare for success in high-impact fields. These include the public and nonprofit sectors, where popular job titles include:

• Social services coordinators
• Human resources specialists
• Market research analysts

Boost your income potential with a graduate degree. You’ll likely earn $65,000 – $90,000/year, on average.

Check out the sociology programs offered by these top-value liberal arts colleges.

• Grinnell College
• Williams College
• Whitman College

Philosophy

Philosophy may seem like an anomaly in the list of liberal arts degrees that make money. But it’s actually a sought-after degree for diverse careers, including:

• Ethics officer
• Policy analyst
• Legal assistant 

With high LSAT scores, it’s a strong pre-law degree with long-term ROI. The average salary with an advanced degree starts at $90,000/year.

Affordable colleges that offer it include:

• University of North Dakota
• University of Illinois – Springfield
• Eastern Michigan University

History

A history degree contributes significantly to the return on investment that liberal arts degrees can offer. History majors can pursue successful careers as:

• Museum curators
• Educators
• Policy analysts

If you’re preparing for a career in teaching, research, or law, it’s a great choice, too.

Entry-level salaries start at $45,000/year. But teaching or law credentials can boost it to $60,000 – $120,000/year.

Check out these colleges for the major.

• SUNY Oneonta
• University of Central Arkansas
• University of Nebraska – Kearney

Anthropology

Anthropology is among the online liberal arts degrees with high ROI because: 

• It leads to high-paying jobs in diverse industries. These include research analysts, cultural consultants, and user experience specialists.
• It may be a niche field, but it’s in high demand in NGOs and global corporations.

The average entry-level salary is $45,000/year, but graduate degrees boost income potential.

Explore the programs offered by:

• Georgia State University
• University of Montana
• University of Northern Colorado

Liberal Studies / General Liberal Arts

This is a broad-based degree useful in business, education, or graduate school. If you’re a transfer student or working professional, you may want to consider it.

Average salaries vary widely, from $42,000 to $80,000 and up with an advanced degree.

Check out these universities when deciding to pursue a Liberal Studies / General Liberal Arts major:

• Thomas Edison State University
• University of Maine at Augusta

Most Affordable Nonprofit Colleges Offering Liberal Arts Degrees

Here are the best universities that offer affordable liberal arts degrees.

• University of the People is a tuition-free, fully online nonprofit institution.
• Fort Hays State University offers affordable on-campus and online programs.
• Western Governors University is a fully online, nonprofit university offering competency-based education.
• University of Florida Online is a public university known for its rigorous programs.
• Southern New Hampshire University, a private, nonprofit institution, offers diverse programs.
• New Mexico Highlands University offers personalized education, thanks to small class sizes.
• SUNY Empire State College offers flexible yet rigorous online education for non-traditional students.

How to Maximize ROI with a Liberal Arts Degree

Besides earning your degree from an affordable yet reputable college, here’s what you can do.

• Combine your liberal arts degrees with certifications. You’ll gain technical skills in specific areas that boost your employability. Digital marketing, data analytics, and project management are excellent choices.
• Pursue internships, networking, and graduate school for higher-paying roles. You’ll gain hands-on experience and practical skills with these pathways. A graduate degree is a worthwhile investment in certain areas, such as psychology.
• Develop your transferable skills and adaptability to multiple industries. You must be active in skills development, such as attending workshops and conventions.

Career Paths and Salary Expectations Table

Degree	Popular Jobs	Median Annual Salary Range
Economics	Financial analyst, economist, data analyst	$60,000 – $90,000+
Psychology	HR, counseling (with a master’s), research assistant	$45,000 – $75,000+ (with grad degree)
Communications	PR specialist, digital marketing, media strategist	$50,000 – $80,000+
English	Technical writer, editor, content strategist	$45,000 – $85,000+
Political Science	Policy analyst, public administrator, campaign manager	$50,000 – $90,000
Sociology	Social services, research, and human resources	$42,000 – $70,000+
Philosophy	Ethics officer, analyst, legal assistant	$45,000 – $90,000+  (with law degree)
History	Museum curator, educator, analyst	$45,000 – $70,000+
Anthropology	Research analyst, cultural consultant, user experience	$45,000 – $80,000+
Liberal Studies/General	Business manager, educator, public service professional	$42,000 – $65,000+

Conclusion + Call to Action

A liberal arts degree can be affordable and sustainable (i.e., offer high returns). You’ll learn valuable soft skills that employers seek and boost your employability.

But it’s also important to complement your liberal arts degree in strategic ways. You must consider certifications for hard skills or a graduate degree for specialization.

Take the next step now. Explore nonprofit universities that offer reputable liberal arts programs at affordable costs.