When considering the value of any type of education, many people wonder first of all whether it will lead to a satisfying, well-paying job. In this respect, there is no doubt — a liberal education is an excellent personal investment. Our alumni—who work in every field of work imaginable, all over the world—are proof.
Employers are saying emphatically that what they need more than ever before are people who are flexible, creative, curious, and capable of seeing the broader picture. Employers in business, law, government, health care, technology, finance, and every other sector are looking for people who have learned how to learn—people with excellent communication and teamwork skills—in brief, they are looking for well-rounded, liberal arts graduates.
Social science and humanities graduates bring great value to employers, industries, and society as a whole.
Value for Society
From a broader perspective, a liberal arts education is valuable because a democratic society needs citizens who can think for themselves and can participate in the improvement of that society through their personal and professional lives. We need to be able to understand, in a critical and independent way, the issues and structures in which we are immersed. Liberal education contributes to this understanding by making us aware of the historical and cultural contexts of modern life—exploring that deeply and extracting meaning from those lessons well beyond clicks and clips. That is what allows liberal arts graduates to contribute to meaningful work in a wide range of industries.
Value for Individuals
From an individual perspective, the liberal arts are valuable because they enable personal growth and the cultivation of our individuality. In addition to the knowledge and skills provided by a liberal arts degree, students gain intellectual and personal nourishment by exploring art, literature, culture, language, music, theatre, and more. Graduates benefit from being encouraged to combine their personal interests and ideas with their studies, leading to truly personally rewarding and fulfilling careers.