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First, some facts. Of the Liberal Studies graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 94 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 65%, Liberal Studies graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 61% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Liberal Studies graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 99% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from California State University, Chico with a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONStudent Teacher Cambrian School District Sep 2014 - Jun 2015 Intern  Embark Labs Jun 2015 - Jul 2015 Wonder League Robotics Coach- Oster Elementary School Union School District Aug 2016 - May 2019 Equity Innovator & Teacher Leader-Oster Elementary School Union School District Aug 2019 - Jun 2021 2nd Grade Teacher Union School District Aug 2015 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Science - MSCalifornia State University - East Bay 2019 - 2019 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When digging into the career paths of people who have graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies, it becomes pretty clear that the majority of their jobs tend to lean heavily toward education, teaching, and roles involving social interaction. Many of these individuals found themselves in positions like teachers, instructional assistants, and educational coordinators, which are largely connected to the core competencies of a Liberal Studies education. For example, those who became teachers, whether at elementary or middle school levels, highlighted how they directly applied theories and methodologies learned during their studies. This reinforces the idea that Liberal Studies equips graduates with essential skills in communication, critical thinking, and pedagogical practices—skills that are vital in the education field.
However, not every job held by Liberal Studies graduates seems to be directly relevant to their degree. A significant number have ventured into careers like sales, customer service, and administrative roles, which do not inherently require the specific knowledge or skills cultivated through their Liberal Studies coursework. For instance, roles such as Real Estate Agents, Sales Managers, or Administrative Assistants may utilize general communication skills but don't typically exploit the interdisciplinary focus of a Liberal Studies education. Jobs in retail or service roles often just reference the soft skills developed during their studies without necessitating the deeper analytical or theoretical insights that Liberal Studies aims to provide.
In conclusion, while many individuals with a Liberal Studies background find fulfilling careers in education or roles that emphasize interpersonal skills and community engagement—making their degree extremely relevant—there's also a noticeable trend of graduates landing in fields that don't leverage their full range of Liberal Studies competencies. This dual trajectory highlights the versatility of a Liberal Studies degree, allowing graduates to adapt their skills for various professions, even if some of those jobs don't align neatly with their academic training. In the end, Liberal Studies opens doors, but how graduates walk through them can vary widely depending on their career choices and opportunities they pursue.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Liberal Studies graduates:
When looking at the career trajectories of recent Liberal Studies graduates, it's clear that there’s a mix of outcomes, but many seem to have found their footing in education or managerial roles. Right out of college, a lot of them step into entry-level positions, particularly in teaching or related educational roles, which is pretty expected given that Liberal Studies often emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills. For instance, graduates from universities like California State University, Fullerton and Longwood University frequently began their careers as substitute teachers or instructional aides, reflecting the degree’s focus on pedagogy and the importance of foundational skills in teaching.
Fast forward five to ten years down the line, many of these graduates have moved into more advanced positions, often still within educational settings. They become full-time teachers, coordinators, or even administrators like principals or department heads, which indicates that pursuing further certifications or degrees in education can lead to solid prospects in the field. However, not all graduates take the traditional educational route. Some have ventured into managerial roles or fields like project management and data analysis. But a significant portion drift into jobs that feel less connected to their Liberal Studies background, such as administrative roles or even sales positions, suggesting that while some successfully leverage their liberal arts education, others may not seize opportunities that align well with their studies.
Some graduates land impressive roles that utilize their liberal studies skills to engage in research, writing, or project management in various industries, while others find themselves in jobs that require very little of those skills. It’s a mixed bag. Even though many pursue teaching, which is a solid field for Liberal Studies graduates, others wander into hiring roles in fields such as customer service, event coordination, and administrative support, indicating that sometimes a liberal studies degree doesn't directly translate into a career that feels fulfilling or relevant. Overall, it seems that while graduates are starting strong with teaching-related positions, their longer-term paths can be quite varied, with some finding great success while others feel a bit lost or underutilized in their careers.
A Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies is generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some more specialized degrees like engineering or chemistry. That said, it really depends on your strengths and interests. If you're someone who enjoys exploring a variety of subjects like humanities, social sciences, and even some natural sciences, you might find it pretty manageable. There will still be projects, papers, and presentations, so it’s not a walk in the park, but you get to flex your creativity and critical thinking skills a lot. Overall, as long as you stay engaged and put in the effort, it's a degree that many students can handle without feeling overwhelmed.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Liberal Studies.
When it comes to the job trajectories of these Liberal Studies grads, it seems like there's quite a mix of earnings potential. For example, the graduate from Excelsior College working with the Department of Defense has likely been raking in a decent salary since 2010, given that government jobs often come with good pay and benefits. On the flip side, some of the more recent grads from educational roles, like the teachers and intern positions, tend to start on much lower pay scales, which can definitely limit their financial growth initially. Some of them have made their way up to managerial roles or left to find better opportunities, like the grad who transitioned from various teaching roles to a Quality Assurance Manager at Panera Bread, which probably pays way more.
Overall, while some individuals are doing well, especially those who climbed the ladder or ventured into specialized fields, others may find themselves in lower-paying roles, primarily within education or part-time gigs. Combining all this, it's clear financial success for these grads really depends on their career choices and how they navigate their pathways post-graduation. The key takeaway is that the early career stage can be tough for many, but with persistence and making the right moves, they can definitely boost their salaries over time!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Liberal Studies. This may or may not be useful:
