Life

What Are The Most Lucrative Liberal Arts Majors?

by Emma Cueto

Choosing your major is an important life decision — and if you're going for a liberal arts or humanities degree, can sometimes fee like taking your life into your hands. So what are the most lucrative humanities and liberal arts majors you can choose? Well, according to a new report from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, English isn't quite as much of an impractical decision as your parents thought it would be. And as someone who graduated as an English major, I appreciate the vote of confidence (and also knowing that I'm in successful company).

Of course, any time we talk about average earnings, it's worth keeping in mind that there are always exceptions to every rule. There are humanities majors that go on to immense fame and fortune, and there are business majors who die penniless and alone (probably). Plus, different majors can be more or less valuable at different schools; furthermore, different schools have different levels of financial investment, meaning how worthwhile your major is depends on a lot of different variables. So if you find yourself on the low end of this scale, don't despair.

So what are the majors that earn the most and least amounr of money after graduation? Well according to the Georgetown report, here are the three most and least lucrative.

Least Lucrative:

3. Composition and Speech

Even though communication is hugely important, people who study composition and speech just don't seem to get the appreciation they deserve. These majors can expect to earn an average of around $47,000 a year.

2. Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies

I don't know entirely what "interdisciplinary studies" means, but it sounds like juggling a lot of different things at once, which really should be rewarded more than it is. These majors can expect to earn about $46,000 a year on average.

1. Theology and Religious Vocations

Fun fact: I actually double majored in English and Religious Studies. It wasn't vocational, so I don't know if it counts in this category, but I can't say I'm surprised it ranks at the bottom either way. I used to joke that I picked it as my second major to make the English degree seem practical by comparison. Theology majors can expect to earn an average salary of $43,000 a year.

Most Lucrative:

3. Intercultural and International Studies

Apparently knowing about the rest of the world pays off. International studies majors can expect an average salary of $52,000 per year.

2. English

English majors represent! Though I must admit, I suspect our success might have more to do with the fact that many of us wind up in grad school. But still, we can expect an average annual salary of $53,000.

1. History

They say those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it — which might be why history majors are the most well-paid of the liberal arts and humanities family. They're just ahead of the game that way. And they make an average of $54,000 per year.

You can find out about more majors in the full report here.

Images: Giphy (6)