Online Liberal Arts Degree Overview
For students that are indecisive about choosing a major, an online bachelor's degree in liberal arts could be an excellent choice. Because liberal arts programs encompass a broad range of disciplines including the arts, humanities, and sciences, the degree program offers plenty of options for individuals with widely varying interests.
While the liberal arts has a broader scope than more specialized majors like business, liberal arts degrees can often be a smart investment for students because of the wide range of post-graduation opportunities they offer.
Because online liberal arts degree programs can generally be tailored to match each student's individual interests, they tend to offer graduates countless career options in fields ranging from communications to sales, customer service, marketing, and more.
Online Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts
Online liberal arts degrees at the associate level are typically available as Associate of Arts (AA) degrees. Although online degree programs typically offer more flexibility than traditional on-campus programs, an online associate degree in liberal arts usually requires around 60 completed credits and can take between 1.5 to 2 years to finish on a full-time schedule. In general, associate programs are designed to help students fulfill general education coursework and prepare them for further education at the bachelor's level. In most situations, accredited associate programs offer students the option to transfer some or all of their credits to a four-year institution where they can continue working toward a higher-level degree.
Online Bachelor's Degrees in Liberal Arts
Typically available as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, online liberal arts bachelor's degree programs offer undergraduate students a wide range of academic opportunities across a diverse spectrum of disciplines. With online programs, more flexibility around hour are offered. An online Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts usually requires around 120 credit hours and takes around four years to complete on a full-time schedule.
Online Master's Degrees in Liberal Arts
Designed with nontraditional students in mind, online master's degree programs in the liberal arts are generally available in the form of a Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) degree. An online master's degree in liberal arts can be a good choice for busy parents or adults with full-time jobs who wish to pursue an advanced-level degree without compromising their personal responsibilities. Although online master's programs allow graduate students to learn at their own pace, most require the fulfillment of between 30-36 credit hours and can take several years to complete.
Online Doctoral Degrees in Liberal Arts
Post-graduate students seeking high-level doctoral degrees in the liberal arts can choose to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in an online program centered around their preferred discipline in the arts, sciences, or humanities. Those seeking a more specialized degree at the doctoral level can alternatively choose to pursue a less common Doctor of Liberal Arts (DLS) or Doctor of Arts (DA) degree online. The length of time required to complete a doctoral degree may vary by program and degree type, but most students enrolled in an online liberal arts doctoral degree program should expect to complete a minimum of three years in pursuit of a doctoral-level degree.
Online Certificates in Liberal Arts
In addition to online bachelor's degrees, certificates in liberal arts are also available to online students. Although certificates are not degrees, they can be a good option for professionals hoping to increase their knowledge base or update their resume with new professional skills. Online liberal arts certificates generally take between 1.5 to 2 years to complete, and are available in a variety of subjects including the arts, literature, social sciences, global studies, and technology.
The Best Online Bachelor Degree Programs in Liberal Arts
1. Brandman University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $12440 | 89% | 60% | 89% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
2. Westfield State University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10849 | 87% | 61% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
3. Northwestern State University of Louisiana
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8768 | 82% | 44% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
4. University of Illinois at Springfield
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11928 | 77% | 54% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
5. California University of Pennsylvania
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11108 | 97% | 50% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
6. University of Southern Mississippi
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8896 | 97% | 49% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
7. Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $13988 | 76% | 71% | % | No | Yes | AP Credits |
8. University of Iowa
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9606 | 83% | 72% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
9. Maryville University of Saint Louis
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $28470 | 83% | 71% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
10. Northern Kentucky University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10296 | 90% | 46% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
11. Utah State University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7659 | 91% | 54% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
12. Emporia State University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6797 | 85% | 50% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
13. Saint Leo University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23750 | 72% | 49% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
14. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10596 | 96% | 51% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
15. Oregon State University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11715 | 82% | 67% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
16. University of Toledo
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10187 | 96% | 50% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
17. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7403 | 82% | 59% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
18. University of Kentucky
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $12360 | 96% | 66% | 94% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
19. University of Memphis
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9912 | 85% | 53% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
20. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7695 | 79% | 62% | 76% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
21. University of Maine at Presque Isle
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8330 | 99% | 38% | 91% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
22. Iowa State University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9320 | 92% | 74% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
23. University of Kansas
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11166 | 93% | 67% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
24. California State University-Northridge
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6977 | 59% | 55% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
25. University of Southern Maine
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9226 | 81% | 40% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
26. Middle Tennessee State University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9070 | 94% | 47% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
27. Northern Arizona University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11142 | 85% | 57% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
28. Framingham State University
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11100 | 74% | 61% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
29. University of Maine
| Tuition | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11438 | 90% | 57% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.
Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Liberal Arts Specializations/Concentrations
Areas of specialization or concentration allow students to focus their studies more narrowly on a specific area of interest. In the liberal arts, areas of specialization/concentration vary widely depending on the student's chosen major. Some common areas of specialization in liberal arts programs include:
- English
- Political science
- Sociology
- History
- Journalism and communication
Curriculum/Coursework for a Liberal Arts Degree
Similar to traditional on-campus bachelor's programs, online bachelor's degrees require the completion of some general studies courses as prerequisites, in addition to coursework in the student's area of concentration and electives that are typically unique to the school. Coursework for a liberal arts degree can vary extensively depending on the subject and area of concentration. Common courses offered by online liberal arts programs might include:
- English literature
- English composition
- World history
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Women's studies
How Long Does it Take to Get an Online Bachelor's in Liberal Arts?
Like traditional bachelor's programs, students pursuing online bachelor's degrees in liberal arts should expect to invest around four years in their education on a full-time schedule. Because online degree programs are designed with more flexibility in mind, the actual time it takes to complete a liberal arts program will vary depending on how many courses a student chooses to enroll in per semester.
Accreditation for Online Bachelor's in Liberal Arts Degrees
Many online bachelor's degree programs are available from accredited universities. Because accreditation offers verification that a particular program's curriculum meets specific guidelines and recommendations that prepare students to enter the professional field, selecting a program from an accredited school can be a smart choice. Many employers also look for graduates of accredited programs in order to ensure that their employees have the appropriate level of knowledge and skills to work competently in their chosen fields.
Liberal Arts Licensure & Certification
Licensure and certification requirements for liberal arts graduates vary widely and are dependent upon the area of study and the student's intended profession after graduation. Although some professions in the liberal arts may require certification or licenses, many jobs in the field do not. For example, students wishing to work in elementary education after graduation are required to acquire a teaching certificate through their state's board of education prior to becoming an elementary school teacher, which requires additional coursework and fees. In contrast, liberal arts graduates wishing to work in journalism generally aren't required to hold additional certifications or licenses.
Liberal Arts Career Information
Those wondering which career options will be available to them after graduating with an online liberal arts degree will be glad to know that there are countless options available in a broad variety of employment sectors. While many jobs in the liberal arts require at least a bachelor's degree, many require a master's degree, so it's important to make sure you have the appropriate level of education when applying for a position.
Although salaries and career opportunities vary extensively between fields, liberal arts degrees generally offer a diverse array of options for graduates that range from teaching to philosophy, mathematics, and political science. Salaries for careers in the liberal arts often vary by field and range from $58,230 for elementary school teachers to $96,180 for administrative service managers in 2018.
Graduates with degrees in the social sciences can expect to find opportunities working as research assistants, market analysts, social workers, and more. Median salaries for this field depend largely on the selected career but can range from $49,470 for social workers to $63,120 for market research analysts in 2018.
Salaries for graduates with general studies degrees often have options for higher-paying salaries than more focused liberal arts fields, with annual income ranging from $53,390 for lodging managers at hotels to $76,220 for budget analysis in 2018.
How to Become an Elementary Teacher
Becoming an elementary school teacher is a great option for liberal arts graduates with a passion for education who are interested in teaching students at the kindergarten level through eighth grade. The requirements for elementary school teachers can vary by state or region, but typically require a bachelor's degree and an additional teaching certification.
The duties and responsibilities of an elementary teacher often vary by institution, but in general focus on educating young children in preparation for for future learning in middle and high school. According to data from the BLS, elementary teachers earned a median annual salary of $59,420 in 2019. The projected job growth for elementary teachers over the next decade is around 4%.
How to Become an Administrative Services Manager
Administrative services managers are responsible for planning and coordinating the activities of an organization to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. While requirements can vary from organization to organization, entry-level administrative services managers are generally required to have at least a bachelor's degree prior to entering the field. In 2019, the median annual salary for this job was $96,940, with a projected job growth of 6% over the next decade.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Information for Liberal Arts Degrees
Similar to traditional bachelor's degree programs, students have several options to fund their online liberal arts educations. First, students should fill out of the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to learn which federal student loans and grants are available for them while paying close attention to deadlines. Students should also speak with their school to find out whether or not there are additional institutional scholarships or grants available to them, in addition to program-specific funding.
Students should also research outside scholarships that may be available to them based on a number of factors including their program or area of specialization.
How to Choose a Liberal Arts School & Program
Choosing an online school and liberal arts program is easiest when your career goals are well-defined. To avoid wasting time and resources, students should develop a clear idea of which subjects and potential careers they're skilled and interested in prior to applying to a school or enrolling in an online degree program. After they've determined their goals, students should research different programs with a focus on finding a curriculum they feel is a good fit for their learning style, individual interests, and career goals.
Beyond their education, students may also want to consider comparing the cost of tuition and the financial aid packages available to students at different institutions. Some institutions may prefer to seek out lower tuition rates, while other students may qualify for merit or need-based scholarships at certain institutions that would help them reduce the overall cost of their education while adding important achievements to their resumes.
Enrolling Online in a School for a Liberal Arts Degree Program
The application and enrollment process for online degree programs often varies by school. In general, students should visit the website of the online program they're interested in enrolling in and follow the school or program's individual application process. Once admitted to the institution, students should schedule a meeting with an academic advisor at their school to ensure that the courses they enroll in adhere to their chosen program's schedule and curriculum.
