Recent debates about whether or not liberal arts colleges are worth it have sparked much talk about how expensive these universities can be. This article will take a closer look at what students get out of their education at liberal arts schools, and if it is really worth it to pay so dearly for an undergrad degree.
Many people refer to studying outside of major fields like English, history and philosophy as “liberal” studies because they believe that such subjects promote tolerance, empathy and understanding of different cultures. These classes typically focus more on ideas than materials, making them great courses for someone who wants to learn how to reason logically.
However, this doesn’t make college degrees in the humanities worthless. They play an important role in society by helping to create informed citizens. Majoring in art or music may help you develop your creative skills, while other specializations (like business or nursing) can prepare you to work with others. A bachelor’s degree can also open up job opportunities for you, even though it might be hard to find employment without one.
There is some truth to the rumor that many professionals simply cannot read well enough to do their jobs properly without learning something else beyond math and science. But most experts agree that reading for pleasure is just as essential to being successful in life.
Advantages of a liberal arts college
One of the main reasons why people choose to go to a liberal arts school is because they believe that their education at such a university will not only teach them about many different fields, but it will also help them find out who they are as a person.
A degree in humanities teaches you about history, literature, and psychology, all of which play an important part in shaping your personality. Some students even say that these disciplines helped them understand themselves better than any other field.
These types of colleges focus more on teaching their students rather than giving them specific degrees or professional positions. This influence has lasting effects on how well someone lives their life.
Students often cite this aspect of their schooling when choosing what career path to take next. For example, doing something with social justice or public service may be chosen because students feel that their academic background prepared them for such careers.
Disadvantages of a liberal arts college
The disadvantages of a liberal art education are quite clear, if not blatant. Not every student will like this type of educational setting, nor will every student be motivated to learn outside their major. Many students feel that learning something for no reason other than it feels good is pointless.
Some students may also choose to leave university after they graduate without earning a degree or with only a bachelor’s degree. This can negatively affect a person’s career as well as their lifestyle due to higher tuition costs.
Overall, educating someone who does not actively want to learn does not benefit them or society at large. It creates an atmosphere where people do not try to succeed because everyone around them doesn’t seem to value success.
Matching students and colleges
There are many ways to choose your liberal arts college. You do not have to go to a large school that caters to thousands of student and alumni, nor should you worry about how much money an education at this school will cost you!
Many universities offer both academic programs and scholarships based on talent and passion for the field. This is important to know as it was part of the reason why I chose my current university.
By knowing what areas of study interest you, they can be pitched to better match you with the right school. It also helps if you are able to test out of the starting line by checking out different schools outside of applying directly through their websites.
In fact, most Universities allow students to apply directly via their website so there is no need to attend a recruitment event or gathering unless needed.
Tips for choosing a liberal arts college
Choosing a liberal arts school is not like picking between any two other types of colleges, such as a community or technology university. There are no easy ways to identify if an institution is truly focused on educating you beyond their field of study, so be sure to look deeper into what they promise and how well they keep their promises before investing in student loans!
Many students get sucked into attending a socialized campus with lots of activities that seem appealing at first. These campuses may even advertise themselves as having a “college experience” but then once there it feels more like a party every night. This can make attending difficult for those who wish to focus more on studying than being part of the fun culture around them.
Also, many people believe that a degree from a large prestigious company means better education, when in fact this isn’t always the case. More often than not these companies cut costs by limiting the number of faculty members and trainers that teach courses, which could mean lower quality education for you.
Tips: Check out our list above for some tips on how to determine whether or not a purely academic setting will work for you. If it does, consider looking into scholarships and tuition discounts for self-paying schools as well as state universities.
Stay in school longer
One of the biggest differences between liberal arts colleges and other types of schools is how long their students must be engaged with them. At most business, medical, law, and technical programs, you’re usually only obligated to attend for two years (unless you want to keep studying beyond that).
At an academic college like Harvard or Princeton, however, students are expected to remain enrolled for at least five years. This gives students more time to find a department they love and work hard in it, as well as expose themselves to new ideas through courses outside of their major.
Also known as “general education,” these courses typically focus on topics such as humanities (writing, literature, etc.), social sciences (economics, anthropology), natural science (biology, chemistry) and mathematics, but not necessarily within those areas. These classes help give students a strong foundation in the field.
Pay more
Many liberal arts colleges are expensive to attend, even beyond their tuition costs. This is due to many things including how much money they ask for in scholarships and fees.
Many students feel pressured into attending these institutions because of the reputation that they have built up. Students may also be willing to pay more to learn about an area that you normally would not find important.
These additional expenses can add up quickly and make going to college very costly. Especially if you do not have lots of money saved up before college or if your parents will help you fund some of it.
The cost of attending a liberal art school should be a strong factor when deciding which one is right for you. Make sure to look into each institution’s price tag properly before making any decisions.
Enjoyment of students
A liberal arts education is one that focuses more on educating the mind than it does on preparing you for a career. These universities typically have large student bodies which contribute to the social aspect of attending school.
Liberal arts colleges are not only about learning, they are also about having fun! Many schools feature organized sporting events, academic clubs, and study groups. There are always something going on at your college whether it be through advertisements or word-of-mouth.
These activities are much needed additions to the campus community. They help promote wellness and closeness to other people while providing an opportunity to meet new individuals.
Furthermore, many departments run event nights or open discussions where anyone can attend and participate in what is happening around them. This exposure to different areas of academia helps advance their knowledge. All this interaction gives you the chance to connect with others who share similar interests as you do.
Overall, there is a lot of diversity when it comes to types of activity conducted at liberal arts campuses. Students’ needs are met by various resources and opportunities so they do not feel left out or unsupported.
Better grades
A liberal arts education is not only about reading great books, it’s also about achieving higher levels of literacy and comprehension. Grades are just one way to measure your academic success.
A well-rounded general studies major will be more intelligent than someone with an economics or psychology degree who has little knowledge outside of those fields. You will also find that people with a wider range of general subjects have higher average IQ scores than people who are very focused on a specific field like math or science.
General interest students are usually more curious and open minded than people who are highly motivated in specific areas. They may learn something new every day, which makes them feel happy. General study majors often describe their courses as “teaching me things I didn’t know before” or “learning about a variety of topics that made sense”.
Furthermore, a college student whose main purpose was to get a job after graduation would probably be looking for more professional skills than someone who studied to satisfy his or her curiosity. More broadly trained individuals typically earn better paychecks than people with limited career prospects.
Liberal arts degrees reward you with other non-monetary benefits such as self-confidence, personal growth and quality friendships. These are all important assets in the world.
