5 Liberal Arts Careers for Liberal Studies Graduates

Careers in the liberal arts encompass a range of types of roles. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some of the most common areas that liberal arts graduates work in include educational instruction and library occupations, management, business and finance operations, office and administration and sales roles. However, there are many other liberal arts occupations that graduates can pursue.

Those who are considering enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program in liberal studies should know that these programs don’t just prepare students for a specific career path. They enable them to learn skills that are transferable across many liberal arts career paths.

What Do You Learn in a Liberal Studies Program?

Liberal arts and liberal studies degree programs cover many subjects, including political science, project management, history, art and philosophy.

While these programs vary depending on the school, their main focus is on helping students develop a widely applicable skill set. Students in liberal studies programs can develop skills in communication, critical thinking, research, writing, intersectionality and organization, all of which are crucial for liberal arts careers in different fields.

Liberal studies degree programs encourage students to think critically, as they consider topics from different perspectives and examine cultural and social influences on human behavior. Positions in liberal arts fields, from public policy to public relations, require professionals who can analyze the cultural influences on human behavior and how each individual’s choices impact others.

Liberal Arts Career Outcomes

While some degree programs prepare students for a specific career path, a liberal studies program can open the door to a wide range of opportunities.

Urban or Regional Planner

Urban and regional planners develop plans and programs for the use of land and physical resources for specific areas. They research economic, social and environmental issues related to that use and determine the most feasible and beneficial plans. They then recommend those plans to stakeholders, such as government officials and community developers.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies is the first step toward a career as an urban or regional planner. Most employers prefer that candidates also hold a master’s degree in urban and regional planning or a similar field. Some employers prefer that planners be certified, though New Jersey is the only state that makes it a requirement.

According to the BLS, urban and regional planners have a median annual salary of $83,720 as of May 2024. Employment in this occupation is expected to grow 3% between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as the national average growth projected for all occupations.

Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists help individuals, groups or organizations build and maintain a positive public image and a brand identity. They develop and evaluate marketing campaigns, connect with the media regarding their clients and work to maintain a positive public perception of their clients.

Public relations specialists are generally expected to have a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, communication, public relations or a similar field. An internship in a public relations firm or in the public relations department of an organization also can help candidates stand out.

According to the BLS, public relations specialists have a median annual salary of $69,780 as of May 2024. The number of positions for public relations specialists is projected to grow by 5% between 2024 and 2034.

Nonprofit Program Director

Nonprofit program directors keep nonprofit organizations operational and on track toward meeting their goals. They provide the overarching vision for their program. They then develop a plan to execute that vision, oversee the plan’s implementation and ensure that they receive the funds needed to keep the program going.

A liberal studies degree or similar bachelor’s degree can help students prepare for this role. However, as it is an executive level role, candidates should also have several years of experience in program development and management, as well as team leadership and budget management skills.

According to Payscale, the median annual salary of nonprofit program directors is about $68,200 as of October 2025. The BLS tracks nonprofit program directors under the category of social and community service managers, which has a 6% projected job growth rate between 2024 and 2034.

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts develop, analyze and recommend policies at the local, state and national levels. They conduct in-depth research on an issue, review current policies for their effectiveness, write policy proposals and present their proposals to those who can enact and implement the policies, such as lawmakers and organization directors.

Employers typically require policy analysts to have a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, public policy, political science or a related field. Becoming certified as a policy analyst or earning a master’s degree in public policy or public administration can help professionals advance to mid- or senior-level positions.

According to Payscale’s October 2025 data, the median annual salary of policy analysts is about $67,300. The BLS categorizes policy analysts with political scientists, who are projected to have an average of about 500 openings for positions each year between 2024 and 2034.

Grant Writer

Many nonprofits rely on funding from grants to keep their programs running. Grant writers track available grants and develop proposals for them. It’s common for organizations issuing grants to require careful documentation of how the grant is being used, which grant writers may also undertake.

Grant writers typically need a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, communication or a similar field. Because writing grant proposals requires an in-depth knowledge of the organization that is applying for the grant, it can also be helpful for a candidate to have a degree or previous experience in the field in which the nonprofit operates. For instance, an aspiring grant writer interested in environmental activism may find it beneficial to take classes or apply for an internship related to environmental science.

According to Payscale, the median annual salary for grant writers as of October 2025 is about $57,400. The BLS categorizes grant writers under writers and authors, who have a projected job growth rate of 4% between 2024 and 2034.

Prepare for Your New Liberal Arts Career With a Flexible Degree Program

Careers in the liberal arts aren’t one-size-fits-all. Graduates of liberal studies programs can pursue a variety of career fields because of the program’s flexible, adaptable curriculum. If you want a liberal arts career in one of the many possible fields, consider enrolling in a program that allows you to develop the skills and knowledge needed for success in a wide array of areas.

At North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, you can follow a prescribed career path or create one all your own. The online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Liberal Studies program at N.C. A&T allows you to bridge your prior knowledge and experience in areas such as business, sociology or psychology while gaining a new skill set that takes you toward the liberal arts career you want. You can gain durable skills in areas such as communication, critical thinking, intersectionality, writing and research.

Start your new liberal arts career with N.C. A&T.

Sources:

Indeed, “25 of the Best Liberal Studies Jobs (With Salaries)”

Indeed, “How to Become a Policy Analyst (Plus Salary and Skills)”

Payscale, Average Grant Writer Salary

Payscale, Average Policy Analyst Salary

Payscale, Average Program Director, Non-Profit Salary

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Field of Degree: Liberal Arts

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Political Scientists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Public Relations Specialists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Community Service Managers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Urban and Regional Planners