I’ve traveled far and wide—across states, provinces, and countries—and one thing is strikingly consistent: confusion around what a “liberal arts” education actually is.

When I mention “liberal arts” in a presentation, people usually react in one of two ways:

1. “Liberal arts? Is that a political view?”
2. “I’m interested in science, engineering, or math. I don’t want to study the liberal arts.”

Both reactions make sense… but they’re also totally off the mark. Let’s clear this up.

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“Liberal Arts” Refers to “Liberal Arts and Sciences”

This idea goes all the way back to Ancient Greece and refers to a “desire for universal understanding.” For example, Pythagoras of Samos (yes, the Pythagorean Theorem guy!) studied math by pulling knowledge from philosophy, astronomy, and even Ancient Egyptian ideas.

Fast-forward 2,000 years, and the liberal arts are still going strong. According to Encyclopedia Britannica:

“In modern colleges and universities the liberal arts include the study of literature, languages, philosophy, history, mathematics, and science as the basis of a general, or liberal, education… the humanities, the physical and biological sciences and mathematics, and the social sciences.”

Here’s the takeaway: liberal arts isn’t what you learn but how you learn. At the end of the day, it means exploring broadly, thinking critically, and connecting ideas across fields.

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Why Does This Matter?

Because knowledge doesn’t live in neatly organized boxes. It’s not black and white.

Here are some examples:

• Math & Philosophy: Mathematicians and philosophers often see their subjects as intertwined and often study both areas to strengthen reasoning.
• English & History: English majors tend to benefit from taking history classes because they provide helpful context when writing.
• Environmental Science & Sociology: Students studying Environmental Science regularly gain insight from geography, sociology, and global affairs.
• Arts & Accounting: Theater, Dance, or Visual Art majors still need to learn budgeting, finance, and basic economics skills.
• Engineering & Business: Engineering students may want to take business or psychology courses to better understand human behavior.

The more cross-disciplinary knowledge students have, the better prepared they are for unexpected opportunities and life after college.

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How It Works in Real Life

I see the benefits every day in my work. The classes I’ve personally taken in political science, sociology, ethics, finance, writing, psychology, history, statistics, and economics continue to inform decisions I make on a regular basis. On top of that, I’ve taught myself networking, public speaking, graphic design, data analytics, and even a little coding.

That’s the beauty of a liberal arts approach: it prepares you to learn, adapt, and thrive no matter what challenges come your way.

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“But I Want to Major in STEM!”

Here’s a common misconception: STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) students don’t get a liberal arts education. Not true!

Take Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering for example. Engineering majors take math, science, and computing classes. Yet, they also explore design, communications, social sciences, and humanities courses. That’s a liberal arts approach to learning.

If you ask STEM students at MIT, UT-Austin, Michigan, Rice, or Iowa State if they took a writing, foreign language, or social science class. Almost universally, they did. They received a liberal arts education often without even realizing it.

Even Caltech, one of the preeminent STEM research institutions in the country, requires “significant study in the humanities and social sciences.” Almost all colleges and universities in the United States incorporate liberal arts elements in some form.

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What About Liberal Arts Colleges?

There are roughly 1,500 institutions in the U.S. labeled “Liberal Arts Colleges.” This doesn’t mean students only study English, philosophy, or the arts. Rather, it’s about how they study.

Liberal Arts Colleges:

• Offer smaller, hands-on classes
• Encourage deep relationships with professors and mentors
• Provide rigorous science, math, and engineering programs alongside humanities courses
• Focus on undergraduate learning and have few, if any, Master’s or Doctoral programs.

In short: don’t fear the term “liberal arts.” It’s an opportunity, not an obstacle.

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Next Steps

If you’re exploring subjects, planning what to study in college, or trying to figure out how to build a broad, adaptable education, Infinite Futures can help. Together, we can identify your interests, strengths, and opportunities while crafting a plan that actually works for you.

Take the stress out of the college search. Schedule a consultation today to learn how Infinite Futures’ data-driven approach and expert guidance can help.

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Dr. Corinne Smith spent a decade as an undergraduate Admissions Officer for Northwestern University and Yale University. She has also read applications for Brown University and UC San Diego. Corinne has her B.A. and M.S. from Northwestern and received her Doctorate in Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. At Infinite Futures, she serves as the Director of Application Strategy and oversees the essay editing process for all students.

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