graduateshotline logo
Last Updated: August 23, 2021

Cost of Education - Liberal Arts

It is a common belief that specific skills in the field of science, technology, and engineering are the only degrees that will garner students a stable career and a high income. STEM degrees, which include science, technology, and engineering, have grown in popularity among students. One might assume that pursuing a career in the liberal arts is a waste of time and money. However, liberal arts programs offer students incredible education and strong career prospects. Employers believe that a candidate’s capability for critical thinking, analyzing, communicating, and solving complex issues is more important than their undergraduate major. Liberal Arts teach students to think critically, logically, and innovatively. These skills, rather than any specific degree, are the most important to employers of any firm.

Getting into the top colleges for pursuing a liberal arts degree may seem less affordable. But one should keep in mind the benefits of receiving high-quality education from such institutes. Moreover, many public or private colleges provide several scholarship packages to make learning more affordable.

Choosing the Best Liberal Arts College

Choosing an institute of higher learning which is best for one's career is worth considering. To pursue a dream career, students must take time to carefully explore and research various factors when selecting a suitable college.

First of all, aspects like the college atmosphere, campus size, possible religious denomination, the diversity in various communities among students, facilities provided for disabled students, extracurricular activities, accreditation, etc., should be taken into consideration. However, the location of the college is a prime factor here. Students must decide their preference to study in an in-state or out-of-state- college, how near or far the institute should be from home, the safety of the locality and surrounding areas, etc.

Furthermore, the affordability of various aspects like education, food, transportation, lodging facilities within or outside campus, healthcare, and miscellaneous items, should be taken care of. The placement of a college is extremely important here, as the cost of living varies from state to state. Along with tuition costs (for both in-state and out-of-state students), students should check if the college provides adequate options for a health insurance plan, financial aid, scholarship, loans, and a lot more. It must also be ensured if the institute has updated libraries and resources for research if the equipment they own for various areas of study are advanced, and if the facilities provided within the campus are worth the money.

Finally, and most importantly, the quality of education should never be compromised. One should make sure that the institute keeps faculty members with the required qualification and expertise. The student-faculty ratio should also be apt as this promotes effective teaching and learning. The campus should also offer placements, internships, or work-study opportunities to students. Students should research the various majors and its descriptions provided by the college, thereby, helping students to have a choice to put together the most appropriate curriculum for themselves.

Programs for Liberal Arts and Sciences

Best Value Liberal Arts Colleges in the United States

Graduating from the best liberal arts college may seem expensive when considering the tuition fee, which is mostly higher than the national average. But keeping in mind the quality of education, and the exceptional academic facilities, and adequate scholarship programs provided by these institutions, it is all worth the money. Listed below are some of the best Liberal Arts colleges based on educational quality, and affordability in the United States of America: Other valuable liberal arts colleges include Principia College, Soka University of America, Grinnell College, Smith College, Colby College, Davidson College, and so on.

Scholarships and Financial Aid for Students

Based on several categorical aspects such as academic merit and monetary needs, various scholarship programs and grants are made available to assist students concerning their requirements. Most grants are provided by the Federal and the State government considering specific requirements. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is to be filled by students before applying for any kind of financial aid. To make education in liberal arts more affordable, there are various grants and scholarships available for students.