Liberal Arts vs STEM Degrees Compared for Job Prospects and Pay
“There is no simple answer to whether a liberal arts degree or a STEM degree is better; it depends on the individual, their passions, and life goals. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) degrees focus on technical skills and precision; whereas liberal arts degrees focus on critical thinking and understanding the human experience. Job opportunities in STEM fields are rapidly growing compared to those in liberal arts degrees; STEM degrees also offer higher-paying jobs to graduates. That is not to say that people with a liberal arts degree earn no money, but they may need to budget more carefully, especially just after graduation. However, the gap between these two pay grades fades by the age of forty; this is due to the fact that technical skills may become obsolete more quickly in our fast-paced world, where softer skills don't tend to expire and are valuable in any job. Families and communities can also reinforce stigma, especially toward liberal arts degrees. Many believe that higher STEM salaries make these degrees "better," leading to less respect for liberal arts students, as if their only option was liberal arts because they weren’t good enough for STEM. Respect from peers can validate one's choices in life. However, choosing a degree should depend on personal goals and one's journey. For immediate stability after college, STEM may be better; for long-term transferable skills, liberal arts can be a strong choice. But above all, one's passions should be the main decider for which field to pursue, as careers are life decisions, and you should be happy with them.”
Summary
STEM degrees lead to higher starting salaries and faster early‑career job growth, whereas liberal‑arts graduates start with lower pay but experience stronger salary growth that can close the earnings gap by mid‑career, often around age 40. Consequently, the claim that the “better” degree depends on personal goals, with STEM offering immediate stability and liberal arts providing long‑term transferable skills, is supported by the data. The reported social bias toward STEM and the emphasis on following one’s passions also reflect current observations.
Sources 60 searched
- In the Salary Race, Engineers Sprint but English Majors Endure - The New York Times
The conventional wisdom is that computer science and engineering majors have better employment prospects and higher earnings than their peers who choose liberal arts. This is true for the first job, but the long-term story is more complicated.
- Does a liberal arts degree lead to low pay? Not necessarily - CBS News
But that's not the reality for graduates of elite colleges with liberal arts degrees, according to PayScale's annual survey of 2.3 million graduates of more than 2,700 colleges. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates ...
- Why Choose a Private Liberal Arts College versus a STEM college? - SMWC
Starting salaries are higher for STEM graduates just after graduation. However, liberal arts graduates show higher salary growth over their careers and, in many cases, will out-earn STEM graduates over a lifetime.
- What the Numbers Tell Us: Re-Engineering the Liberal Arts Degree – A Baseline for the New Economy | UNBOUND
One of UPCEA’s hypotheses suggested that liberal arts graduates might place greater value on earning or having their skills recognized via a badge or certificate. However, this proved not to be the case, as 20% of liberal arts graduates placed a high value on a badge and 37% on a certificate. Approximately one-third of STEM and business graduates placed a high value on badge and one-half on certificates.
- 5 Significant Advantages of Liberal Arts Majors | UMass Global
According to the Georgetown Center ... and Sciences purports similarly encouraging findings. Results show that while liberal arts majors do typically see lower starting salaries than STEM graduates, they catch up over time....
- Don’t knock the economic value of majoring in the liberal arts | Brookings
Liberal arts majors do not earn much more than high school graduates, though this understates earnings potential over the long term.
- Students January 22, 2014 How Liberal-Arts Majors Fare Over the Long Haul
course of a career (making $97,751 at peak earning ages ). But, the report · points out, they are a small group: only 9 percent of working college graduates. Science and math majors also do quite well over time (making $86,550 at peak ... Liberal Arts.
- Liberal arts education - Wikipedia
Apart from the sciences, enrollment ... job prospects. As of 2023, liberal arts degrees holders in the United States had a median wage of US$60,000, as opposed to $70,000 for all degree holders....
- Liberal Arts Degrees & Careers | Accredited Schools Online
The median annual salary for liberal arts majors was $50,000 in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But because liberal arts can refer to a vast array of careers and industries, the salary potential for graduates can vary ...
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