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, 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 believe strongly in the exceptional value and quality of the education provided to students in majors within the Cynthia Parker College of Liberal Arts as well as across all of HSU through the Foundational Curriculum. However you don’t have to take only our word for that. Other experts and journalists have found that students graduating with majors in the liberal arts are perceived positively 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.
Forbes
“Liberal Arts in the AI Age: Why Human-Centered Thinking Matters More Than Ever”
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescommunicationscouncil/2025/04/24/liberal-arts-in-the-ai-age-why-human-centered-thinking-matters-more-than-ever/
iN Education
“Why Liberal Arts Matter in a STEM-Driven World”
https://ineducationonline.org/2025/01/10/why-liberal-arts-matter-in-a-stem-driven-world/
Baltimore Sun
“Business Education and the Liberal Arts Are Inseparable”
https://www.baltimoresun.com/2023/06/29/business-education-and-the-liberal-arts-are-inseparable-guest-commentary/
Brookings
“Surfing the 4th Industrial Revolution: Artificial Intelligence and the Liberal Arts”
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/surfing-the-4th-industrial-revolution-artificial-intelligence-and-the-liberal-arts/
The Hechinger Report
“Embracing the Uncertain, Scary Future — with a Liberal Arts Degree”
https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-embracing-the-uncertain-scary-future-with-a-liberal-arts-degree/
The Hill
“The Value of a Liberal Arts Education Is More Than Most Know”
https://thehill.com/opinion/education/444317-the-value-of-a-liberal-arts-education-is-more-than-most-know/
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
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
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/