The Value of a Liberal Arts Education

Most people recognize that choosing the right college is one of the more important decisions a person will make in their lifetime. Less often talked about is that choosing the right degree program is equally important!

With the rising cost of a college education over the past two decades, a critical factor in making that decision, for students and their parents, is understanding the value of a given degree upon graduation. We in the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts believe that, weighed into that value should be not only how a college major prepares a student for the realities of the job market, but also how a particular university and major can increase a student’s life satisfaction and fulfill his or her God-given calling.

We have strong opinions about the value and quality of the education we provide to students in our majors, as well as the general student body through our Foundational Curriculum. However, we’re not prone to bragging! You might be interested in what other experts and journalists have found about how liberal arts degrees are perceived and valued by employers. The following links demonstrate the value of obtaining an education in the areas of  liberal arts and the humanities, as well as the employability of degree-holders in those areas.

The Baltimore Sun
“Liberal Arts Prepare Students for a Changing World”
https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-op-0614-liberal-arts-20180608-story.html

The Washington Post
“Why Liberal Arts and the Humanities Are as Important as Engineering”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2018/06/12/why-liberal-arts-and-the-humanities-are-as-important-as-engineering/

The Baltimore Sun
“Why We Need the Liberal Arts…”
https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-liberal-arts-20130303-story.html

InfoQ.com
“A Great Engineer Needs the Liberal Arts”
https://www.infoq.com/articles/great-engineer-needs-liberal-arts/

The Washington Post
“Why America’s Obsession with STEM Education is Dangerous”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-stem-wont-make-us-successful/2015/03/26/5f4604f2-d2a5-11e4-ab77-9646eea6a4c7_story.html

BBC
“Why ‘Worthless’ Humanities Degrees May Set You Up for Life”
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190401-why-worthless-humanities-degrees-may-set-you-up-for-life

Business Insider
“Microsoft’s President Says Liberal Arts Majors Are Necessary for the Future of Tech”
https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-president-says-tech-needs-liberal-arts-majors-2018-1

Forbes
“That ‘Useless’ Liberal Arts Degree Has Become Tech’s Hottest Ticket”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgeanders/2015/07/29/liberal-arts-degree-tech/

The State

“Majoring in Liberal Arts Could Turn Out to Be a Very Smart Move”
https://www.thestate.com/opinion/op-ed/article222560055.html

USA Today
“Liberal Arts Grads: Tech Companies Want YOU!”
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/money/2017/08/09/liberal‐arts‐grads‐tech‐companies‐want‐you/104443276/

Inc.com
“Why the Liberal Arts are Necessary for Long-Term Success”
https://www.inc.com/tim-askew/why-liberal-arts-are-necessary-for-long-term-success.html

FastCompany.com
“How a Degree in Scandinavian Mythology Can Land You a Job at One of the Biggest Tech Companies
https://www.fastcompany.com/40425362/how-a-degree-in-scandinavian-mythology-can-land-you-a-job-at-one-of-the-biggest-tech-companies

Association of American Colleges & Universities
“What is a Liberal Education?”
https://www.aacu.org/leap/what-is-a-liberal-education

CNN
Liberal Arts Majors Can Get High-Paying Jobs, too
http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/02/pf/college/liberal-arts-majors-salary/index.html

NPR
The Value of a Liberal Arts Education for Medical School
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/05/27/407967899/a-top-medical-school-revamps-requirements-to-lure-english-majors

Inside Higher Ed
“Liberal Arts Grads Win Long-Term”
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/01/22/see-how-liberal-arts-grads-really-fare-report-examines-long-term-data

Association of American Colleges & Universities
“The Economic Case for Liberal Education”
https://www.aacu.org/sites/default/files/files/LEAP/EconomicCase2016.pdf

Forbes
“Humanities Degrees Provide Great Return on Investment”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffreydorfman/2014/11/20/surprise-humanities-degrees-provide-great-return-on-investment/

Inc.com
“The 10 Top Skills That Will Land You High-Paying Jobs by 2020”
https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/the-10-top-skills-that-will-land-you-high-paying-jobs-by-2020-according-to-world-economic-forum.html