Why a Liberal
Arts Degree
is a Smart
Investment
A Gateway to Opportunity
A Gateway to Opportunity
Higher education is undeniably expensive, and with rising tuition, some may question whether a college degree is worth it—especially with alternative pathways like bootcamps, apprenticeships, and entry-level jobs gaining traction. However, a four-year degree from a top liberal arts institution like Southwestern University remains the most direct gateway to opportunity.
That opportunity includes diversifying your paths to rewarding careers and higher salaries. But more money isn’t the only ROI, or return on investment, of a liberal arts education. At Southwestern, students experience intellectual growth, gain a sense of identity and purpose, and build lasting connections with professors, mentors, and peers. These lifelong benefits foster career resilience and empower graduates to create positive change in their lives and communities.
In this guide, we’ll explore how the Southwestern Experience opens doors to opportunity. If you have questions or need personalized support, reach out at 1.800.252.3166 or admission@southwestern.edu—our friendly staff is here to help you turn the possibility of attending SU into reality.
Southwestern’s future-forward approach to the centuries-old tradition of the liberal arts involves building academic and practical skills through coursework in the arts, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities; deep engagement with nationally recognized scholars inside and outside the classroom; and immersive learning experiences, such as professional internships, faculty-mentored research, community engagement, and study abroad.
Did you know that students at private, nonprofit liberal arts colleges complete their degrees faster than those who attend large public universities? According to the latest information from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average four-year graduation rate of students at private, nonprofit universities graduate is 58.1%, whereas only 45.3% of students at public institutions graduate in four years, with many taking six or more years—or never earning their degree. That’s because at a smaller college, you’ll get personal attention and tailored support from faculty mentors and caring staff as well as from your fellow students and alumni.
At Southwestern, 89% of students graduate within four years. So while students at public state schools and even peer private universities are spending extra years studying, paying tuition and fees, and losing wages, SU graduates are landing jobs, establishing their careers, and earning incomes sooner. Thanks to generous financial aid packages and on-time graduation, Southwestern students pay far less for a top-ranked college education in the long run.
|
IN-STATE PUBLIC (Average Six-Year Graduation Rate) |
$134,334 |
|
OUT-OF-STATE PUBLIC (Average Six-Year Graduation Rate) |
$245,616 |
|
PRIVATE NONPROFIT (Average Four-Year Graduation Rate) |
$198,616 |
|
SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (Average Four-Year Graduation Rate) |
$148,000 |
◀ All costs include tuition, required fees, room, and board and are based on the 2022–2023 academic year.
▲ All costs include tuition, required fees, room, and board and are based on the 2022–2023 academic year.
A college degree significantly boosts lifetime earnings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Georgetown University, college graduates earn 68% more in weekly salary—or approximately $1 million more over their lifetimes—than those with only a high school diploma. Liberal arts graduates, on average, earn $20,000 more annually than high school graduates, with top performers from selective schools like SU making $55,000+ more per year.
“College is important for you to have that discussion of pay rate, of salary. And even moving up the ranks requires higher education. The degree is just one extra thing that makes me marketable.”
According to the Center on Education and the Workforce, the ROI of a Southwestern degree is:
10 years
after
graduation
20 years
after
graduation
40 years
after
graduation
While earnings vary by career, still, a college degree far outranks a high school diploma when it comes to earning a higher income and employer benefits, such as retirement, paid vacation time, and healthcare coverage.
Down the road, in their 30s and 40s, Southwestern and other liberal arts alumni can look forward to the fastest income growth among all graduates of higher education institutions. And 40 years after graduation, liberal arts graduates enjoy the third highest ROI* among 14 different types of colleges.**
You’ve likely heard about it on social media, learned about it from the news, or even seen it in your own family: The job market is volatile, with AI, economic downturns, and shifts between remote and in-person work causing major disruptions in not just jobs but even entire professions.
But a bachelor’s degree opens the doors to more numerous job opportunities, a broader range of high-demand career fields, and greater likelihood of professional advancement.
97%
of Southwestern alumni are employed or earning an advanced degree within one year of graduation
Among Southwestern’s Class of 2023, the average starting salary was $52,045, with a high salary of $125,000.
With a degree in the liberal arts and sciences, you’ll gain a competitive edge in the marketplace while building professional resilience so that you can confidently navigate the constantly evolving job landscape.
For example, at Southwestern, you’ll cultivate the sought-after skills most valued by employers—from critical and creative thinking to communication, adaptability, and leadership —through our wide-ranging curriculum and high-impact learning experiences. And those skills will serve you from post-graduation to pre-retirement: Individuals now average 13 jobs, often in more than one profession, during their lifetimes, so as you engage in small seminars, internships, and faculty-mentored research projects, you’ll develop the intellectual agility that transfers seamlessly to whichever career pathway(s) you choose.
“I learned how to ask questions—and ask the right kind of questions—at Southwestern. Asking the right kind of questions will lead you to the right solutions. And the different disciplines, the different subjects, will each give you a different perspective on how you see the world and reality. As a result, it will make you a better at whatever profession you choose.”
Southwestern is a university that’s evolving in real time—expanding opportunities, launching innovative programs, and building new academic pathways to prepare you for the careers of today and tomorrow.
Southwestern is a university that’s evolving in real time—expanding opportunities, launching innovative programs, and building new academic pathways. Together, these efforts prepare you for the careers of today and tomorrow, giving you both the intellectual agility and the necessary skills to lead in any field you choose.
Here’s a sneak peek at what’s taking shape right now:
Our new program provides personalized advising, research opportunities, and real-world experiences. Whether you’re pursuing pre-Med, pre-Dental, pre-PT, pre-OT, or pre-PA, you’ll have the support and preparation to thrive.
Set to launch in January 2027, this major will bring a liberal-arts lens to one of today’s most innovative and in-demand fields. You don’t have to wait—Southwestern students earning a degree in Applied Physics can already take advantage of our partnership with Texas Tech University to complete a Master of Mechanical Engineering in just five years.
Together, these programs reflect our commitment to giving you both the intellectual agility and the practical pathways to lead in any field you choose.
Southwestern is ranked #1 in Texas and #2 in the nation for
Best Career Services (The Princeton Review)
“ To say that SU has changed [our daughter’s] life for the better is an understatement. She is a better learner, thinker, and writer having attended Southwestern…It’s hard to put a price tag on an experience for your child that is so life changing. She has a broad background and is well prepared to attend graduate school. We are very pleased with her academic experience.”
Deciding whether and where to complete your bachelor’s can be a challenge, especially with so many myths circulating about the ROI of a college degree and especially of a liberal arts education. Some may choose an alternative route to success. But for others, the enduring value of a liberal arts degree—higher earning potential, job security and satisfaction, improved civic engagement, and lifelong learning—outweigh the inevitable costs.
We hope this guide has given you food for thought as you consider whether a four-year degree at Southwestern University will be your gateway to opportunity.
