In Defense of a Liberal Arts Education

The value of a liberal arts education is often called into question: is it practical in today’s job market? Are the skills that students learn preparing them for careers, compared to degrees like accounting and software engineering with clearer trajectories? Can liberal arts graduates secure well-paying jobs that will provide a positive return on their tuition? 

Determining the value of a liberal arts education is complicated and personal – but to do so, we may first ask, what’s the value of any college education? 

What is the Purpose of Higher Education ?

For some students and families, the purpose of higher education is clear cut – to get a degree and secure a well paid job after graduation. Given the skyrocketing costs of college, that’s a valid purpose! 

But there are many ways to measure the value of higher education, in addition to the job students can secure. For example, venture capitalists Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen identify 12 purposes of higher education in a compelling podcast, Crisis in Higher Education and Why Universities Still Matter. These reasons span from credentialing (yes, the degree matters!) to, perhaps controversially, providing adult daycare! Here are a few: 

• “Credentialing Agency” – universities function to identify those who are admitted, and those who graduate, with a skillset and level of ability, which employers will use 

• “Practical Instruction” – the actual education has value, beyond the piece of paper at the end. Whether liberal arts, STEM, or a trade, the learnings students gain have value in the students’ betterment and self-actualization, as well as practical skills 

• “Moral Instructor” – while many universities are no longer religious institutions, they continue to serve a role in helping students identify their moral learnings and social views 

• “Adult Day Care” – universities function to “ease” students into the real world after high school graduation, providing built-in support mechanisms like dining halls and opportunities for socialization 

• “The Dating Site” – many students will meet their lifelong partners in university, and while this point is a romantic one, it also applies to the friendships and connections students form.

  
  

How Does a Liberal Arts Education Measure Up? Here Are the Pros:

If we take a broader view of the purpose of education, we may recognize that while liberal arts degrees might offer a lower financial return on investment straight after graduation, they may offer much higher value when thinking about other sources of purpose. 

For example, students pursuing liberal arts degrees may find great meaning in their courses, which may help them form their values and view of the world. Through cross-disciplinary thinking, reading and discussion, students are exposed to a broad variety of subjects, from philosophy to history to the arts, and can gain insight into their interests, values and even identity. The content of liberal arts courses can also drive critical thinking, as students analyze complex ideas from different points of view and question, critique and reflect on texts. Moreover, students are prepared with deep communication skills, including writing and debate, which can help with clear and persuasive self-expression in personal and professional communication. 

Have you ever thought to yourself, "these scientific advancements, like implanting a chip in people's brain, certainly satisfy the question 'can we?' but has anyone sat down and considered 'should we?'" That's what the liberal arts education is for.

The Liberal Arts Can Lead to High Paying Jobs Too:

The cons of a liberal arts education need less description, because they are often pointed to: namely, a liberal arts education can often lead to a lower paying career. People are quick to point to the starving artist persona, or unpaid activist. 

But for many liberal arts graduates, a low-paying career is quite far from reality. Consider, for example, fields like finance, consulting, and law, which often welcome students with liberal arts degrees. For liberal arts students with ambitions to enter these careers, among others, a well paid job is well within reach. In these fields, liberal arts students’ critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills are valued. 

Moreover, many liberal arts students may pursue further education, from business school to law school to medical school, which significantly boost earnings potential. A liberal arts degree often offers the flexibility for students to meet a variety of entry requirements. 

So, Are the Liberal Arts Right For Me?

The liberal arts are not for everyone, but if you find yourself passionate about a field in the liberal arts, consider whether the “pros” resonate with your view of the purpose of education, and consider your career ambitions. There are trade-offs to every path, but depending on your career ambitions, you may even end up with the best of both worlds! 

If you're still not quite sure about your next steps, why not sign up for a College Admissions Advising Session with one of our experts here at Hermiona?