Best Online Liberal Arts Degrees
A liberal arts degree relies on a well-rounded, integrative approach to learning. In this program, you’ll study a variety of subjects spanning the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and arts.
The best liberal arts degrees encourage you to think critically, communicate effectively, and creatively problem-solve. And an online liberal arts degree can give you additional flexibility and program options.
Top 10 Online Liberal Arts and Liberal Studies Degrees
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $3,360
Credits to Graduate: 30
For aspiring graduate students looking to design a program based on their own interests and passions, Johns Hopkins' master of liberal arts gives you a blend of quality education and customization. In this program, you can take 10 three-credit courses online, in person at the Baltimore campus, or in a hybrid format.
The broad-reaching nature of liberal arts means you can choose your courses and program focus — from history to philosophy to the arts — depending on your passions and goals. You must hold a bachelor's degree to apply. Applications are open year-round.
- In-State$54,160
- Out-of-state$54,160
- In-State$57,010
- Out-of-state$57,010
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate11%
- Students Enrolled28,890
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- AccreditationYes
University of South Carolina-Columbia
- Columbia, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $410 (in-state) | $1,118 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 120
UofSC Palmetto College's online interdisciplinary BA in liberal studies combines a customizable curriculum with individual focus areas and practical, experience-based learning. You'll choose up to three out of six possible areas of emphasis in subjects like arts and society, public health, and cultural studies.
In addition to taking courses, you must complete an internship or service-learning project and a senior capstone project.
You can apply for one of six possible start dates. The application and application instructions are available online, with pre-evaluation of any previous college coursework available upon request.
- In-State$12,288
- Out-of-state$33,528
- In-State$13,737
- Out-of-state$29,760
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled35,470
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Stony Brook University
- Stony Brook, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $471 (in-state) | $565 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 33
Stony Brook's online MA in liberal studies provides you with a graduate-level understanding of the liberal arts. You'll also learn to conduct original research.
In this program, you can expect to complete a core set of liberal arts courses and a thematic concentration. You'll also complete a capstone project, which must rely on your own original research.
To apply, you need to have a bachelor's degree. Transfer credits are not accepted.
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$24,740
- In-State$11,310
- Out-of-state$23,100
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled26,782
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- AccreditationYes
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
- Fort Collins, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $476
Credits to Graduate: 120
CSU's fully online BA in interdisciplinary liberal arts prepares you for a wide array of career options. You'll take courses in composition and public speaking and complete other core requirements like college-level math. You may complete the remainder of your required credits by taking classes in psychology, government and politics, or economics.
You can apply as a first-year or transfer student. Applications are open three times a year in the spring, summer, and fall.
- In-State$9,426
- Out-of-state$28,147
- In-State$10,520
- Out-of-state$25,791
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled32,428
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment85%
- AccreditationYes
Iowa State University
- Ames, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $363 (in-state) | $1,049 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 120
Iowa State's fully online bachelor of liberal studies is a transfer-only program geared toward students aiming to earn their degree with no residency requirement. You must have at least 24 transferable college credits with a 2.0 GPA or higher to apply.
Once admitted, you may choose to major in liberal studies or professional studies. You can then design a personalized course schedule from multiple focus areas with related class offerings.
You can earn up to three-quarters of major credits through transfer credits you've earned at another accredited four-year university or community college.
- In-State$8,042
- Out-of-state$23,230
- In-State$9,758
- Out-of-state$24,720
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled31,822
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment89%
- AccreditationYes
University of Kentucky
- Lexington, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $594.50
Credits to Graduate: 120
UK's fully online bachelor of liberal studies is designed for students who work full time or who have other obligations that require a flexible schedule. Your degree can take anywhere from 2.5-4 years, depending on whether you enter the program as a first-year student or transfer student.
You may apply year-round, with three start dates in the spring, summer, and fall. UK may accept applications outside these deadlines under special circumstances.
- In-State$11,135
- Out-of-state$29,945
- In-State$12,189
- Out-of-state$31,867
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled29,986
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
University of Kansas
- Lawrence, KS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $398
Credits to Graduate: Varies, but at least 20
KU's online bachelor of general studies in liberal arts and sciences is open exclusively to transfer students, meaning you cannot apply as a first-year student. As a general studies major, you won't need a specialization to complete this program, though you must meet all core requirements in math, science, composition, and language.
You can apply online, and there is no difference in tuition based on state residency. The university offers financial aid, including scholarship opportunities exclusive to online students.
- In-State$10,092
- Out-of-state$26,960
- In-State$9,989
- Out-of-state$23,951
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled26,744
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- AccreditationYes
Northern Arizona University
- Flagstaff, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $372
Credits to Graduate: 120
NAU's online BA in liberal arts offers a contemporary take on the social sciences and humanities offered through the school's online Personalized Learning program. You may enter as a first-year student or transfer up to 75 credits toward your degree.
You must complete math and foreign language requirements to graduate. Classes are structured to encourage teamwork and collaboration as a means of improving communication skills.
You may apply with up to 75 transfer credits and must have a 2.0 GPA or higher to graduate.
- In-State$10,243
- Out-of-state$16,248
- In-State$10,309
- Out-of-state$18,630
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled29,566
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Utah State University
- Logan, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $233 (in-state) | $560 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 90
USU's online BA in liberal arts focuses on expanding your career opportunities and earning potential. Classes entail four core liberal arts areas: historical and cultural traditions, social and legal institutions, arts and literature, and critical thinking and reasoning. You must also meet the foreign language requirement to graduate.
Two application deadlines are available each year. If you're a Utah resident, you'll have access to libraries and other resources at Utah State's campuses.
- In-State$6,732
- Out-of-state$21,677
- In-State$6,164
- Out-of-state$21,575
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled27,691
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Wilmington, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $166 (in-state) | $672 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 30
If you're looking for a flexible, online-only grad program with a focus on the social sciences, UNCW's MA in liberal studies offers extensive course options across the social sciences and humanities. You can also pursue optional certificates in conflict management and resolution and women's and gender studies.
UNCW is currently redesigning its liberal studies program and will relaunch the program in 2024 with an updated curriculum. You do not need to submit GRE scores to apply.
- In-State$4,443
- Out-of-state$18,508
- In-State$4,719
- Out-of-state$18,548
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled17,915
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
What Is a Liberal Arts Degree?
If you have many interests or want a broader course of academic study, a liberal arts degree — also called liberal studies — can be a great choice.
Liberal arts majors study art, the social sciences, the humanities, the natural sciences, and math. You can earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in liberal studies, depending on the school.
Many four-year universities offer liberal arts degrees. You can also attend a liberal arts college. At this type of school, all students take classes in a broad array of liberal arts subjects. Typically, you must declare a liberal arts major as well, like English or sociology.
Many schools use the terms “liberal arts” and “liberal studies” interchangeably. At some schools, however, liberal studies focuses more on comparing and contrasting the different liberal arts subjects.
Did You Know…
In 2019, liberal arts majors in the U.S. earned a median annual salary of $50,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Types of Liberal Arts Degrees You Can Get
Many colleges offer liberal arts majors, either in liberal arts itself or in one of the many liberal arts subjects, from art history to psychology.
Here are some of the most popular liberal arts degrees you can get:
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Area and Ethnic Studies
- Art History
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Classical Studies
- Communication
- Comparative Literature
- Economics
- English
- Environmental Science
- Film Studies
- Food Science
- Foreign Languages
- Gender and Women’s Studies
- Geography
- History
- Journalism
- Liberal Studies
- Library Science
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Marine Science
- Mathematics
- Museum Studies
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Philosophy
- Photography
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Relations
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Visual Art and Design
- Writing
Why Accreditation Matters for a Liberal Arts Degree
When a school is accredited, it means an independent accrediting agency has certified that it is academically rigorous and meets certain quality standards.
A college needs accreditation to be able to offer federal financial aid to students. Additionally, accreditation ensures your degree will be recognized by employers and other institutions should you transfer or attend graduate school.
Some academic programs may be programmatically accredited. Although there are no programmatic accreditors of liberal studies degrees, specific majors within the liberal arts may have programmatic accreditation.
For example, journalism majors should apply to programs accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.
Did You Know…
In a 2021 survey by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, over half of employers believed that liberal arts degree skills, like effective teamwork and critical thinking, are “very important.”
What Can You Do With a Liberal Arts Degree?
Liberal arts degrees are versatile. You’ll graduate with a broad wealth of knowledge and many of the soft skills employers seek in candidates.
Because liberal arts degrees emphasize critical thinking and creativity, students who complete a liberal arts program will be prepared to work in various roles and industries.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2021) | Job Growth Rate (2021-2031) | Minimum Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Managers | $135,030 | 10% | Bachelor’s |
| Statisticians | $95,570 | 33% | Master’s |
| Psychologists | $81,040 | 6% | Master’s or doctorate |
| Technical Writers | $78,060 | 6% | Bachelor’s |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $64,650 | 1% | Bachelor’s |
| Editors | $63,350 | -5% | Bachelor’s |
| Public Relations Specialists | $62,800 | 8% | Bachelor’s |
| High School Teachers | $61,820 | 5% | Bachelor’s |
| Graphic Designers | $50,710 | 3% | Bachelor’s |
| Interpreters and Translators | $49,110 | 20% | Bachelor’s |
Source: BLS
Frequently Asked Questions About Liberal Arts Degrees
What is the difference between a liberal arts college and a university?
Although both liberal arts colleges and universities can offer similar majors and programs, liberal arts colleges more strongly emphasize a liberal arts foundation through required liberal arts coursework. Liberal arts colleges also tend to have smaller enrollments and class sizes than universities.
Are liberal arts majors in demand?
The skills that liberal arts majors develop and hone in their education, like the ability to think critically and consider various perspectives, are in demand. In a 2014 study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, 93% of employers agreed that critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills are more important than the applicant’s college major.
What liberal arts degree is best?
The best liberal arts degree for you will depend on your interests, strengths, and career goals. If you’re concerned about making money, for example, you may want to choose a liberal arts major that tends to lead to higher-paying jobs, like psychology, math, or biology.
What are the highest-paying jobs with a bachelor’s in liberal arts?
Many of the highest-paying jobs for liberal arts majors are in management and technology. According to the BLS, some of the highest-paying jobs for those with a bachelor’s in liberal arts include:
- Marketing manager (median annual salary: $135,030)
- Software developer ($120,730)
- Administrative services manager ($100,170)
- Computer systems analyst ($99,270)
- Social and community service manager ($74,000)
Is a bachelor’s in liberal arts worth it?
A bachelor’s in liberal arts can be a great investment if you want a well-rounded, interdisciplinary, and flexible education. Liberal arts majors get to study many subjects while developing in-demand soft skills like critical thinking and communication.
A liberal studies degree can also set you up for long-term success. According to a Strada Institute report, liberal arts majors earn $20,000 more than high school graduates on average and experience rapid salary growth in their 30s and 40s.
