Focus on Liberal Arts Colleges

More than ever, prospective college applicants are opting for college majors they feel will prepare them for a specific career, in lieu of looking at college as a broad learning experience and time of self-discovery. Primary among the reasons for this is the rising cost of college and desire for return on investment in the form of a lucrative career. As a result, large percentages of students are opting into the majors they perceive as most likely to provide financial stability – STEM and Business. And with this trend, these majors are now impacted at many universities, in other words, they don’t have enough seats available for all qualified applicants. This supply and demand issue has increased the selectivity of these programs and led institutions to take additional measures to ensure they are accepting candidates who will follow through and successfully graduate. Applicants are commonly asked to apply directly to these majors, with limited opportunity to transfer in later, particularly at more selective colleges. What's more, some colleges expect to see high school classes and activities that align with the chosen major to demonstrate a real commitment. So, you’d better know you want to do this by 9th or 10th grade.

But are these popular majors really the right path for all of these students, and do they really need to be flocking to these programs to be successful? To explore this, consider the following questions: 

🤔 Are these majors what the student really wants? 

When asking a high school student why they have chosen a certain major, they should be able to provide an answer that demonstrates some level of analysis as to why it is a good fit for them. In reality, they often are led down a path based on comments others have made, such as how they should become an engineer because they are strong in math and science, or based on projected outcomes - choosing Business Administration for its widespread and varied opportunities, Nursing because of the demand in the marketplace, and Engineering or Computer Science for the salary ranges associated with these fields. While these are all good starting places, they’re not enough to provide a strong foundation for success. These are the students who most often find themselves changing majors once they discover what the curriculum entails.

This begs the question: Should we really expect 17-and-18-year-olds to know how they want to spend not only the next four years but the rest of their working lives? What if, instead, they were encouraged to explore a variety of subjects before making that call? For students who are not “all-in” on a college major, a liberal arts college (LAC) may be the better option. Majors are declared in the spring of sophomore year, allowing a year and a half of exploration, where students take a wide variety of classes, where there is flexibility in their choices, they may be introduced to fields of interests they may not have heard of previously, and where an interdisciplinary approach is valued. Most high schoolers are only aware of a fraction of what is available to them, and don’t have the opportunity to fully explore all options prior to making this life-altering decision. 

🏫 What is the liberal arts versus university experience? Traditional liberal arts colleges do not have a graduate school, so the undergraduate is the reason for the school’s existence. This means you’re not competing with graduate students for the attention of professors, or opportunities such as research and internships, and you’re being taught by professors...in every class. Classes are small and discussion-based, allowing students to establish a relationship with their professors who may then be instrumental in assisting with arranging these opportunities or writing letters of recommendation. In short, every student at a small school matters. They know your name and want you to succeed.

This Purdue-Gallup poll of 30,000 college graduates found that those who have achieved what they considered great jobs and great lives reported these 4 key experiences - they were more likely to have been personally engaged with a faculty member, participated in an internship, were involved in extracurricular activities and graduated with minimal student debt. While these experiences can be found at any college, a smaller school may present increased opportunity to secure mentors who can help pave the way for opportunities. Smaller schools may also make participation in both internships and chosen extracurricular activities less competitive and therefore, easier to access. 

Consider the benefits of an education that emphasizes discussion-based classes in an increasingly technology-oriented world. In researching for my June 2025 blog, “College Majors and Careers That Will Thrive Alongside AI,” I found that one way to work side-by-side with AI in the workplace is to surpass it with emotional intelligence. Human skills such as critical thinking, creativity, civil discourse and empathy may not be as easily reproduceable as technical skills and may be of even greater value in a future that includes AI.  This sentiment is corroborated in The Atlantic’s September 2025 article “How To Think, Not What To Think,” by Dartmouth’s president Sian Leah Beilock. He points out that “living in an age of informational opulence, we are awash in readily available data but lacking discernment, communication skills, and empathy.” He goes on to say that “Dartmouth’s small, tight-knit academic community promotes interdisciplinary collaboration…that is virtually impossible to produce in online environments that are fragmented and hostile....The best [educational settings] show our students how to hold contradictory thoughts simultaneously, how to argue the merits of viewpoints different from our own, and how to make sense of a complicated world in a meaningful way—something AI has yet to master.”

Of course, these skills are developed in colleges of all types and sizes, but students should decide if prioritizing these experiences should be added to their college criteria when building their list.

💰Can a lucrative career be had with a liberal arts degree? While our traditional vision of a liberal arts college may conjure images of poetry readings and deep analysis of Plato’s teachings, today’s LACs are more career-focused while also maintaining the features that set them apart from universities. In many cases, students have ready access to internships related to any major and career advisors to steer them toward the world of work. More LACS are offering business or engineering majors, or partnering with universities to offer a 3+2 Masters degree, providing 3 years of liberal arts education and 2 years of curriculum specific to the industry. Facilities like Swarthmore’s state-of-the-art Computer Science and Media Center, and programming such as Bowdoin’s Hastings Initiative for Humanity and AI are examples of efforts LACs are making to stay relevant. 

In addition, along with the usual Ivies and Ivy-likes, liberal arts colleges are the predominant source feeding post-graduate study. Amongst the top 20 feeders to medical school you’ll find Amherst, Pomona, Haverford, Williams and Swarthmore. Top law school feeders include and Amherst, Davidson, University of the South, Claremont McKenna, College of Holy Cross, Haverford, Colgate and Barnard. How about MBAs you ask? The top 20 feeders include Williams, Amherst, Claremont McKenna, Wellesley and Middlebury.

Another consideration is access to the alumni network. With a small population, graduating students may better access these connections to secure career suggestions or even an entrée into their industry, relative to a larger school where the more assertive self-advocates may fare better in a sea of graduates.

Have some extra time to research? Jump on LinkedIn and look at who works where, what degree they received, and from what college. You may be surprised at the diversity of degrees that lead to coveted careers.

Regardless of the type of institution, part of the college search should involve closely examining each school’s opportunities and outcomes. Look beyond the school name, US News ranking or size. And think about whether you would be better served by taking some time before diving into a major. These steps make your final decision of which college to attend an educated one, the first step on the road to an enriching and productive future.

 Sources: “How To Think, Not What To Think,” Purdue-Gallup Poll: Why Engagement Matters , Top Feeders to Business Schools (MBA), Top Feeders – Law School, Top Feeders – Medical School,