If you’re thinking of going back to school, you may be wondering about the value of a liberal arts education. There are many benefits to getting a degree like a Bachelor of Science in University Studies. These benefits include the ability to earn more than you would without a degree, more job stability and a wider range of career options. You may also have more courses to choose from, so you can customize your education to match your interests.
The Financial Value
People with bachelor’s degrees generally earn more per year than those with only a high school diploma regardless of their field. The National Center for Education Statistics annual earnings report for 2021 shows bachelor’s degree holders in the 25 to 34 age bracket earned a median yearly salary of $55,700, while those with only a high school diploma earned a median of $35,000 per year. This data indicates that college graduates currently earned 59% percent more per year than people with only a high school diploma.
Although a bigger paycheck is part of the benefit of a bachelor’s degree, another is job stability. The percentage of people working full time also rises with educational level. Of those in the 25 to 34 age group with bachelor’s degrees, 79% were employed full time versus 72% of those with high school diplomas.
A commonly held view is that there is not much value in a liberal arts education. Often, that’s because news stories focus on degrees in business and the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) areas. Though salaries in these fields can be higher than those in areas dominated by liberal arts, a more relevant economic comparison examines data for those with a bachelor’s degree and those without. Moreover, a multidisciplinary education offers greater flexibility in the course of study, the program design, and ultimately, the range of careers available.
The Flexibility Value
A multidisciplinary education, like Lamar University’s online B.S. in University Studies, equips graduates with skills that business leaders seek in their employees.
In the Association of American Colleges & Universities employer report for 2021, almost nine out of 10 employers indicated that earning a college degree is worth the cost and that a person’s breadth and depth of learning contribute to long-term career success.
A liberal arts degree can also help you develop critical and analytical skills. This is especially important when pursuing a career since critical thinking and the ability to analyze and interpret data are two of the top skills employers reported they look for in potential employees.
A key benefit of a broad-based education is the flexibility it offers in course selection. Under the liberal arts umbrella, you can learn about many subjects from literature and history to sociology, data analysis, and criminal justice. The degree offers courses that cover a wide range of subjects and issues of interest. As the study of what makes people tick, a liberal arts degree can cover issues that have been important through the centuries and up until today.
A bachelor’s degree online is adaptable to your needs. You can study when it is convenient, rather than having to be in a certain place at a certain time. You can work while learning. You can return to school and earn a degree that you have helped design from the courses available in the online bachelor’s degree program.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online Bachelor of Science in University Studies program.
Sources:
Association of American Colleges and Universities: How College Contributes to Workforce Success
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment
