In your college search, you may have heard about liberal arts colleges and universities and how theyre different from other types of schools. You might be asking yourself a few questions:
This post will outline five advantages of going to a liberal arts college or university, and discuss some of the reasons you should consider attending one.
Liberal arts universities like Bucknell offer a well-rounded education, which allows you to choose from a wide range of classes and majors. Its an approach based on the medieval concept of the seven liberal arts and sciences, which an individual needed to master to become a well-rounded person: grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music. More generally, a liberal arts education is about being broadly educated in a variety of subjects, making you a versatile thinker and preparing you for a number of potential careers.
If you want to study subjects that interest you (even if they arent part of your major), pursue a passion like music or the arts alongside your major, prepare for a diverse set of careers, or customize your major with a specific career goal in mind, a liberal arts university could be an excellent choice for you. At Bucknell, we offer more than 60 majors and 70 minors across our three colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering and the Freeman College of Management.
A liberal arts college provides students with a well-rounded education that goes beyond just vocational training. While some may think a liberal arts degree does not lead to clear career paths, there are actually many benefits to attending a liberal arts college. In this article, I will discuss 5 key reasons why students should consider a liberal arts education.
Reason #1: Discover Your Passions Through a Broad Curriculum
One of the best aspects of a liberal arts college is the flexibility to explore different subjects before declaring a major. Students take a core curriculum that covers topics in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. This allows you to discover subjects you may have never considered studying previously It is common for liberal arts students to stumble upon a new interest or hidden talent through this exploration.
Exposure to diverse subjects expands your perspective. You gain knowledge in areas outside your comfort zone. This curiosity and love of learning often sticks with liberal arts graduates long after college The ability to make connections across disciplines also trains you to think critically and solve problems creatively
Reason #2: Develop Key Soft Skills Employers Seek
While liberal arts programs do not always funnel into a defined career path, they provide transferable skills valued in all industries. Soft skills like communication, critical thinking, research, analysis, teamwork and creativity are honed through a multidisciplinary education. Subjects like literature, language, philosophy and history teach you how to express yourself clearly, articulate ideas, and construct convincing arguments. Math and science sharpen analytical reasoning and problem-solving. Economics, political science and sociology build understanding of corporate, civic and cultural systems.
Employers need well-rounded workers who can think on their feet, collaborate, and contribute unique perspectives. A liberal arts background prepares you to take on diverse roles and rise into leadership positions. According to LinkedIn data, soft skills like communication, analytical thinking and creativity are some of the most in-demand from companies. A liberal arts education equips graduates with these highly-sought talents.
Reason #3: Build Specialized Skills Through Minors or Double Majors
While exploring broadly, liberal arts colleges also allow you to study subjects more deeply through minors or second majors For example, you may major in English but pursue a minor in education to teach afterwards. Or major in physics while also studying computer science to work in tech The flexibility in curriculum makes it easy to complement your main area of study with other specializations.
This ability to build specific skill sets on top of a general education is advantageous. You will stand out from single-subject majors by offering well-rounded knowledge plus focused expertise. Some even design their own interdisciplinary majors bridging topics like neuroscience, economic geology or arts administration. With customized curriculum combinations, you can craft the ideal prep for your future goals.
Reason #4: Receive Personalized Mentorship From Professors
A huge advantage of liberal arts colleges is small class sizes and high faculty interaction. Most liberal arts schools have less than 2,000 undergraduates with a student-faculty ratio around 10:1. This environment fosters close bonds between professors and students. You are not just a number in giant lecture halls. Professors personally mentor and advise students at liberal arts schools.
Faculty act as guides throughout your academic journey, providing support exploring interests, navigating courses and developing skills. These mentor relationships offer professional development opportunities like research, internships, or networking connections. Liberal arts professors are passionate about teaching and student success. Their wisdom and support can be invaluable for reaching your full potential.
Reason #5: Gain Global Perspective Through Study Abroad
Liberal arts educations emphasize cultural understanding. This includes opportunities to study abroad through semester exchanges or summer/January term programs. Most liberal arts schools have study abroad participation rates over 60%. Immersive global experiences teach you cultural literacy, interpersonal skills and adaptability.
Living abroad expands your problem-solving skills by navigating new environments. You gain independence and self-confidence. Employers increasingly value global competence. Spending a semester in Scotland, a summer in Spain or a month in Ghana will shape your worldview. Exposure to diverse cultures mieux prepares you to collaborate across borders in our interconnected world.
Key Takeaways on the Value of a Liberal Arts College Degree
While the liberal arts do not funnel directly into a career path like engineering, they offer an array of benefits:
- Explore diverse subjects to discover and develop your interests
- Cultivate transferable soft skills desired by employers like communication, critical thinking and creativity
- Build specialized expertise through minors, double majors or interdisciplinary programs
- Receive personal mentorship from professors invested in your success
- Gain global perspective from studying abroad
Today’s job market is rapidly evolving. More than ever, adaptability, empathy and problem-solving abilities are essential. A well-rounded liberal arts education teaches you how to continuously learn and approach challenges from different perspectives. Your liberal arts degree will be a lifelong asset. An exciting future awaits with possibilities limited only by your imagination.
Five Advantages of Attending a Liberal Arts University
Liberal arts colleges and universities are usually smaller than state universities or large private colleges. Bucknell is larger than most liberal arts universities and also has professional schools for engineering and management (which gives our students a wider range of options) but were still small enough that youll know your professors and classmates. While your first year of classes at a state university might be spent in lecture halls with hundreds of students, at Bucknell, most of your first-year classes will have around 20 students, some even less, and all or nearly all the classes you take over your four years here will be taught by faculty members. That means youll always be able to raise your hand and ask a question, and your professors will devote their time and attention to your education (our student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1). Our size also gives Bucknells campus a community feel where its easy to get to know your classmates and make friends. If youre looking for the quintessential small college experience, a liberal arts school might be a good choice for you.
A Residential College Experience
Studying the liberal arts is about exploring the connections between disciplines and the epiphanies that happen when you look at a question from a different angle. At Bucknell, that means your residential experience and the things you do outside the classroom are part of your education too, and we provide every opportunity to help you take your education beyond the classroom. Youll be guaranteed housing all four years, and as a first-year student youll be able to join one of our Residential Colleges — our signature themed living-learning communities where you dive into a subject like the arts, sustainable food production or social justice inside and outside of class. You can continue that experience by joining one of our affinity houses for sophomores, juniors and seniors, attending an event or listening to a high-profile speaker. Theres something exciting happening every day on campus. And because were bigger than most liberal arts schools, youll also be able to take part in close to 200 clubs and organizations as well as NCAA Division I athletics, club sports and intramurals. If youre looking to make college a 24/7 experience, a liberal arts school like Bucknell might be right for you.
What is a Liberal Arts Education?
What are the benefits of a liberal arts education?
Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education A liberal arts education prepares students to examine ideas from multiple points of view, solve problems, adapt, and collaborate.
What are the pros and cons of attending a liberal arts school?
To help outline some of the pros of attending a liberal arts school, here is a list of 12 benefits of a liberal arts education: 1). Interdisciplinary approach to learning – A liberal arts education intentionally integrates different areas of study, exposing students to a wide range of subjects.
Is a liberal arts education right for You?
Luckily, a liberal arts education is the perfect way to explore subjects and find true passion. In addition, a liberal arts education allows students to keep their career options open because they will learn transferable skills rather than one specific skill set. Also see: Top liberal arts colleges
Why should you go to a liberal arts college?
A degree from a liberal arts school helps to ready students for the creativity, innovation, critical thinking and communication needed for the next steps in their academic or professional careers. Related: 60 Reasons To Go To College Here are 10 intriguing benefits of attending a liberal arts college over a public university: 1.
