Liberal Arts Majors with Surprising ROI

Quick Highlights:

Liberal arts majors can be just as valuable and lucrative as degrees in more traditionally “practical” fields like engineering or nursing.
Economics, communications, and political science can offer high returns on investment (ROI). These fields provide valuable skills and open doors to well-paying careers.
Liberal arts degrees equip students with crucial skills such as communication, analysis, and problem-solving. These skills are highly marketable and applicable across various industries, making liberal arts graduates competitive in the job market.
To maximize the value of a liberal arts degree, gain relevant work experience through internships, developing complementary technical or analytical skills, and actively building a professional network.

Are you dreaming of earning a degree in a subject that truly sparks your interest? Perhaps you’re drawn to fields such, as economics, communications or political science. However, you might have concerns about the practicality of pursuing an ” arts” education in terms of job prospects.

Many people think that liberal arts degrees do not offer job opportunities. There is a perception that in order to make money, one must major in areas like engineering, nursing or computer science. However, this notion is not entirely accurate! Liberal arts majors can earn a great salary – provided they make smart decisions.

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This article provides insight on some liberal arts majors that can offer the best of both worlds. By choosing these majors, you can immerse yourself in subjects you’re passionate, about while positioning yourself for successful careers and financial stability.

Related:

Why Liberal Arts Gets a Bad Rap

Many advisors tell students that liberal arts majors lead to low-paying jobs. The stereotype is that you’ll end up a barista or cashier. You might hear that you have a fancy degree that wasn’t entirely useful. This scares a lot of people away from majors like English or history.

Another common myth is that liberal arts degrees are impractical. They don’t help you get real jobs. Some people see them as academic degrees with no real workplace skills. Actually, the skills you gain from liberal arts are very valuable. They are useful for all kinds of careers.

Many students feel pressured when choosing a major. Their parents or friends want them to pick a “safer” major, like engineering, accounting, or nursing. These degrees are seen as more reliably leading to jobs with good salaries. What they may not realize is that many liberal arts grads actually out-earn those in some “practical” majors.

The truth is, the most successful people are passionate and practical. Liberal arts degrees are just as valuable as any other type of degree. Liberal arts programs help students develop skills in communication, analysis, and problem-solving. These skills are highly marketable. So don’t rule a liberal arts major out just yet!

What is ROI in Education?

When we talk about ROI (return on investment) for college degrees, we’re basically asking – is this degree worth the money I’m spending on it? Think about all the costs of going to college – tuition, fees, textbooks, housing, etc. That’s a huge investment of your hard-earned cash. The “return” part is what you get back in the form of future earnings from the career that degree leads to.

Calculating the ROI is super important because not every major pays off the same way. Some degrees might be very expensive, but then only qualify you for jobs that don’t pay well at all. That’s a lousy investment! But, some majors tend to lead to high-paying jobs. They let you earn back your tuition money quickly.

For example, a computer science degree often has an awesome ROI. You spend a decent chunk on that education, but then you’re lined up for those high-paying tech jobs that everyone wants. But if you get a more niche degree in something not as in-demand, your earnings potential might be limited. Not ideal when you’re trying to pay back mountain of student loans!

Now, that doesn’t mean you should just chase whatever major promises the highest salary right out of college. You’ve got to genuinely enjoy what you’re studying too! But it’s smart to balance your passions with some pragmatism about the career fields and incomes different degrees can realistically lead to.

The real goal is finding a degree with a solid ROI that you’re also stoked about. That way, you get the best of both worlds – doing work you love while making enough bank to pay off those pesky loans quickly and start saving up for major life expenses like a house, retirement, etc.

When you’re a high school senior, it’s easy to just pick a major because it “sounds cool.” But taking some time to research potential ROIs and crunch the numbers? That’s the wise move to ensure you’re making a smart investment into your future financial freedom. Here’s some great liberal arts majors that can provide a high ROI.

Economics

Do you want to major in the liberal arts but still aim for a high-paying career? Think about studying economics. Out of all the liberal arts fields, economics might be the best route to a secure and well-paid future.

As an economics student, you’ll develop top-notch analytical skills in areas like:

statistics
data analysis
modeling
forecasting

You’ll understand how markets, industries, and economic policies all impact business and finance. These abilities are incredibly valuable in the corporate world.

Career Opportunities for Economics Majors

With an economics background, all kinds of high-paying doors will open up:

Financial analyst
Investment banker
Economic consultant
Data analyst
Policy advisor

Economics majors can find jobs at major banks or investment firms. They can also use their skills working for consulting companies and big corporations. Government agencies also employ economics grads. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, (BLS), financial analysts make over $81,000 per year on average!

Earning Potential

While many college grads struggle to get hired and make ends meet, economics majors are in high demand. A degree in economics prepares you for many great paying fields:

Finance and banking
Consulting
Data and analytics
Public policy
Market research

These careers usually pay well, and having an economics background can boost your earning potential even more compared to other majors. Plus, studying economics helps you develop critical thinking and number-crunching skills that many organizations highly value.

Communications

Majoring in communications may not seem like a path to a cushy career. Skills developed in liberal arts are invaluable in almost every workplace. That’s why it’s seen as such a versatile and practical degree by many experts.

As a communications major, you’ll build expertise in areas like:

Public speaking
Writing and editing
Social media
Marketing and branding
Interpersonal communication

These tools help you get your message across clearly, whether you’re speaking, writing, or using multimedia. Being able to communicate well is crucial nowadays—it’s essential for moving forward in most careers.

Career Opportunities for Communications Majors

The career possibilities with a communications degree are endless. You could work in fields like:

Public relations
Marketing/advertising
Social media management
Corporate communications
Broadcasting/journalism
Human resources

Many communications grads also go into roles like:

Sales representative
Community relations
Event coordination
Content creation
Communications training

As you can see, the skills gained are applicable to almost any industry. This versatility provides amazing job flexibility.

Earning Potential

Some entry-level communications jobs may start around $40,000 per year. But, the earnings for this major grow over time. Here are some examples of median salaries for common communications careers according to the BLS:

Public relations manager – $134,760
Marketing manager – $157,620
Advertising account executive – $139,850

The highest paid communications grads can easily make over $100,000 per year, especially in larger cities. The major gives you skills that transfer across industries. It sets you up to keep raising your income over your career.

Political Science

Do you find it fascinating how governments shape society? Are you passionate about policies and power structures? If so, a political science degree might be just right for you. Despite the name, this major isn’t just for future politicians. Understanding the key concepts in this field can open doors to many important and respected careers.

As a political science student, you’ll develop skills in areas like:

Research and analysis
Data interpretation
Critical thinking
Persuasive communication
Understanding complex systems

These abilities are not just useful for government and policy roles. They’re also highly valued in the corporate world and in nonprofits and advocacy groups among others.

Career Opportunities for Political Science Majors

With a political science background, you could pursue careers like:

Policy analyst
Legislative aide
Intelligence analyst
Lobbyist
Campaign manager
Corporate/government relations
Consultant

Political science majors can work at law firms and public interest groups. International organizations and all levels of government agencies also hire political science grads. Many also go into the business world advising companies on policies that affect their operations.

Earning Potential

While the median political scientist salary is around $132,350, this degree opens doors way beyond just that specific job title. Here are some other examples of careers and earning potentials according to PayScale:

Policy analyst (private sector) – $64,124
Government relations manager – $78,211
Lobbyist – $83,838
Corporate legal counsel – $131,190

As you can see, the analytical skills gained through this major translate into many opportunities to earn a comfortable living. Jobs are available across sectors, and the career flexibility is a big plus!

Strategies for Maximizing Your Liberal Arts Degree

Now you know that liberal arts majors like economics, communications, and political science can lead to high-paying jobs after college. But how do you make sure you’re set up to land one of those great roles? Here are some tips:

Get Relevant Work Experience

Internships and work experience in your field are crucial. Gaining practical experience before graduating will give you a big advantage. You’ll be ahead of other applicants when it’s time to hunt for jobs. Employers love to see you’ve already gotten your feet wet.

A strategic internship or campus job related to your interests can help you:

Develop employable skills beyond the classroom
Build your professional network
Get exposed to different roles and career paths
Strengthen your resume and talking points

Start looking for relevant work opportunities before graduation. Visit your college’s career services office and get going on this early. They may be even able to point you to companies that hire grads who complete their internship programs.

Develop Complementary Skills

There is no doubt that gaining experience is important. You’ll also need to beef up your skillset in other ways. As a liberal arts grad, technical or analytical skills make you more competitive.

A few examples of complementary skills to consider building:

Data analysis
Computer programming
Digital marketing
Project management
Foreign language

You can add these by:

taking elective courses
earning certifications online
self-teaching using free online resources

Combining technical skills with your broad-based liberal arts knowledge creates a powerful combo.

Build Your Network

As with most things in life, “it’s not just what you know, but who you know.” Networking will be critical for learning about job openings and getting your foot in the door at top companies.

As a student, get involved with:

Campus clubs/organizations
Professional associations
Guest speaker events
Networking nights
Informational interviews

Every connection is a potential inroad down the line. Be proactive. Put yourself out there and make relationships with people in your field. Build up your LinkedIn profile and include information on relevant projects and experiences. Following thought leaders in your field can also be a great way to learn more about job opportunities and what it takes to score that high paying role.

While the path may not always be as linear as some other majors, liberal arts open up amazing options for young people who love subjects like:

economics
communications
political science

With some smart choices, you too could end up with a shockingly high return on your educational investment!

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