What Is a Liberal Arts College?

What Is Meant by "Liberal Arts College"?

Liberal arts colleges focus their resources on providing a liberal arts education, also known as a liberal education. In Merriam-Webster's definition, this kind of education aims to "bring about the improvement, discipline, or free development of the mind or spirit" rather than narrowly train students to perform tasks for a particular career. With this mindset, they often provide degrees in liberal arts disciplines at the expense of subjects such as business, engineering, technology, and agriculture.

What Is the Difference Between a Liberal Arts College and a Regular College?

Liberal arts institutions are colleges rather than universities: They almost exclusively confer undergraduate credentials, such as associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and certificates. They tend to enroll fewer students than other types of colleges, with smaller class sizes and faculty who prioritize teaching over research. Liberal arts schools are also exclusively private rather than public, receiving most of their operating budget from tuition and fees instead of government money. 

Are Liberal Arts Colleges Worth It?

Bachelor's degrees are often worth the cost and effort, so attending a liberal arts college can be worthwhile if you want to study a liberal arts major at a small institution. We list some of the potential pros and cons below to help you weigh your options.

What Are the Benefits of a Liberal Arts College?

• Liberal arts majors often teach transferable skills that employers crave. These schools emphasize a comprehensive liberal education that features plenty of practice with team collaboration, critical thinking, and writing — all of which can prove useful in the job market. 

• Small class sizes may mean more accessible faculty, which might help you develop mentors and get questions answered sooner.

What Are the Drawbacks of a Liberal Arts College?

• As private, nonprofit institutions, liberal arts schools tend to cost more than other kinds of colleges. This might lead you to incur more student loan debt.

• These institutions may not have as wide a range of available services and extracurricular activities as larger public schools.

What Is a Liberal Arts Degree?

The liberal arts fall into three categories: humanities, social sciences, and natural or physical sciences. We list some of the most popular majors for each of these categories here, along with links to bachelor's program pages where you might find degree options at liberal arts colleges.

The Humanities

Social Sciences

Natural Sciences

Is a Liberal Arts Degree Worth It?

Bachelor's degrees in general are usually worth the time and cost, and it's no different for programs in liberal arts subjects. On the whole, college-educated professionals earn significantly more and experience less unemployment than less educated employees. Liberal arts majors help you develop knowledge and abilities that may let you secure and succeed in a variety of fields.

FAQs About Liberal Arts Colleges