Why Choose a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts?
A master’s degree in the liberal arts gives students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills. The programs also focus on developing good communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.
The liberal arts vary and may include anything from the natural sciences to the social sciences, art and literature. Depending on the field, students have varied career prospects. For example, working in communications, students may go on to earn an annual wage of $41,600, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In English language and literature, the annual wage was around $38,710.
Choosing a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts
When choosing a master’s degree in the liberal arts, it’s important to look at career prospects and how the school can help connect you. You may want to go to a school with internships or career training in the field, so you build on the skills you already have.
Some common jobs in the liberal arts include human resource specialists, journalists, events directors, artists and advertising representatives. Journalists, like reporters, for example, have a negative 11% job outlook between 2019 and 2029, while advertising managers should see a growth of around 6%.
The following are our choices for the top 15 schools for a master’s degree in the liberal arts. These schools are listed from our top selections to schools at the bottom of our list. Having trouble choosing the school for you? Contact us, and we’ll help you get information on a school that meets your requirements.
The Top 15 Schools for a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts
1. Salve Regina University
At Salve Regina University, students can explore their liberal arts options through the Master of Arts in Humanities. This is a 36-credit program that has six core courses and six interdisciplinary courses. There are also an additional 12 elective credits that students must collect, a thesis or a practicum field experience/internship.
• Tuition (in-state): $10,890
• Enrollment: 2,771
2. Faulkner University
Faulkner University offers an online Master of Arts in Humanities program that helps students learn about theology. The school provides faith-based learning. The program has five comprehensive core courses, four independent tutorials, a thesis course and more.
• Tuition (in-state): $10,080
• Enrollment: 3,036
3. Hamline University
Hamline University offers a Master of the Arts in Liberal Studies. The program was created in 1980 and consists of 38 credits for synthesis or 40 for proseminar. There is a capstone requirement with either track.
• Tuition (in-state): $9,596
• Enrollment: 3,404
4. Tiffin University
Tiffin University offers a Master of Humanities program that offers education in philosophy, literature, the arts, language and more. Classes begin in January, May, and August, and they can be taken online.
• Tuition (in-state): $12,600
• Enrollment: 2,926
5. Prescott College
Prescott College offers a Master of the Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. This degree has 30 credit hours and can be taken completely online when needed. There is a capstone requirement.
• Tuition (in-state): $21,696
• Enrollment: 993
6. Albertus Magnus College
Albertus Magnus College offers a master’s degree in the liberal arts that consists of 33 credit hours. Students learn online and take courses from the university’s faculty. The school requires a final writing seminar and final project for completion.
• Tuition (in-state): $20,520
• Enrollment: 1,419
7. Wayland Baptist University
Wayland Baptist University offers a Master in Humanities, which falls under the liberal arts. This is a 37-credit-hour Master of Arts degree and students can choose between four main topics as their specialization: English, religion, history, or philosophy. They then take additional coursework in all areas of the humanities (English, religion, history, philosophy, film, music, theatre, etc.)
• Tuition (in-state): $13,104
• Enrollment: 4,084
8. Liberty University
Liberty University offers a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. This program consists of 31 credit hours and takes an average of one year to complete.
• Tuition (in-state): $7,980
• Enrollment: 85,586
9. Regent University
Regent University offers a Master’s in Liberal Studies with a focus on practical theology. This program prepares students to work in the church and minister to others. It is a 48-credit-hour program.
• Tuition (in-state): $15,552
• Enrollment: 10,365
10. Stony Brook University
Stony Brook University offers an interdisciplinary art program. It offers an online program or can be taken on campus. Online courses are asynchronous. Students can partipate in field experiences, internships and other in-person learning. The program is 33 credit hours long.
• Tuition (in-state): $10,175
• Enrollment: 25,989
11. Kent State University
Kent State University offers a Master of Liberal Studies and is one of only six institutions in Ohio to do so. The program requires 30 credit hours to be completed for graduation. Twenty-seven of those hours are electives.
• Tuition (in-state): $11,766
• Enrollment: 27,716
12. University of Richmond, Virginia
The University of Richmond in Virginia, offers a master’s degree in the liberal arts. The MLA has 10 courses overall. It does not require standardized testing or a thesis for graduation.
• Tuition (in-state): $24,960
• Enrollment: 3,914
13. Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University offers a master in cross-disciplinary studies that teaches synergy between various disciplines. Students study the health sciences, human rights and more. Overall, the program consists of 33 total credit hours and can be completed in around 1.5 years.
• Tuition (in-state): $19,665
• Enrollment: 20,576
14. Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University offers a Master of Liberal Arts that consists of 30 credit hours. The program focuses on issues in contemporary society in America, cultural diversity in America and world cultures and societies.
• Tuition (in-state): $30,780
• Enrollment: 11,024
15. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University offers an online master’s in liberal arts that consists of 10 courses. The courses vary between communications, writing, education, science writing and other liberal arts.
• Tuition (in-state): $55,350
• Enrollment: 27,079
Ranking Methodology
Our ranking is based on each school’s tuition and enrollment scores. High tuition rates and enrollment were ranked low, while low tuition and lower enrollment helped improve scores. Every effort was made to produce accurate content here. Keep in mind that this list is not guaranteed and may change at any time.
Interested in Finding Out More About Our List?
Do you want to learn more about our list? Do you want to find out why your school ranks as it has? Do you have a school you want to have listed? We would be happy to speak with you, so contact us today.
