A Liberal Arts Education: Cost, Benefits, and Addressing the Needs of Students

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A Liberal Arts Education: Cost, Benefits, and Addressing the Needs of Students

Samantha Danico
12/7/15
University of Memphis
Department of Leadership

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Abstract
Students have many options when it comes to choosing what school they want to attend. They
take in to consideration many topics before choosing their perfect school, such as the cost of the
university, whether they will receive aid, the academic integrity of the university, as well as the
job prospects available upon graduation. Though a liberal arts education is not the most cost
effective, students may have a higher chance of obtaining high paying job upon graduating,
which would make a liberal arts education a good investment. Also, the education that they
receive at a liberal arts college is not clouded by the idea of professors needing to research
instead of teach their classes. Though many researchers have claimed that the liberal arts
education is a dying breed, others say that the need for it is growing and there will be an up rise
of students wanting and needing a liberal arts education.

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A Liberal Arts Education: Cost, Benefits, and Addressing the Needs of Students
Students choosing what college is best for them have many options to evaluate and
choose from before making a decision. From large research institutions to small liberal arts
colleges, students search through a range of campus types in order to find the perfect institution
for them. With all of the college options, it would seem that fewer and fewer students are
choosing liberal arts colleges or liberal arts degrees. Jaschic (2012) states that a liberal arts
education is becoming less appealing to students entering in to college. He also states that
liberal arts colleges are not providing the type of education that students are looking for. With
cost of the college being one of the main factors that leads a student to choose a certain college
or university, liberal arts schools may be struggling to find a common ground (Hicks, 2014).
Will there eventually be a rise of students who desire a liberal arts education? To make this
happen, liberal arts schools will have to pay attention to what students are looking for when
searching for their perfect institution. What are students looking for most and how can a liberal
arts education address these needs and concerns? Are there still benefits to a liberal arts
education over that of other types of colleges and universities?
When deciding what college to attend, there is many options that students have to sort
through: two year or four year, private or public, large or small, co-ed or single gender. It can be
a bit overwhelming to go through all of your options effectively and decide what the best choice
is. What are students using as a platform to make these decisions and what are students most

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interested in when trying to figure out the next 4-6 years of their life? Students are no longer only
applying to one university. On average, 55% of students apply to at least four institutions
(Hicks, 2014). Not only are students applying to more universities than ever before, they are
also not attending their top choices, even if they get in (Hicks 2014). According to Hicks, there
are four main topics that students look at when evaluating an institutions worth: Academic
reputation, job prospects for students upon graduation, financial aid that the institution provides,
and ultimately the cost of the institution.
With students looking for, applying to, and going through so many options of schools,
why should students look at a liberal arts institution? There are many benefits to a liberal arts
school that a student many not receive at a larger research institution. The liberal arts philosophy
is much different to that other types if institutions. Not only will a liberal arts institution help
educate students in their chosen field, it will also boost a students core with required courses in
humanities, social sciences, arts and natural sciences. This helps students become more
integrated into a global society outside of their field of study. A liberal arts education also
focuses strongly on strengthening a students critical thinking skills, idea creation, analysis of
opposing viewpoints, and researching and writing skills (Embassy of the United Sates). There
are many other benefits to a liberal arts education other than the strong cognitive skills that
develop. Typically, a liberal arts school is only the fraction of the size in comparison to a
research institution. This results in smaller class sizes that will provide more focus to the

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students and encourage collaborative learning amongst the students. There is also more
interaction between professors and students, which can lead to more meaningful learning. A
liberal arts education will teach a student how to adapt to the ever changing demands of the
global environment and think critically to the challenges they face. Students become masters of
multitasking as well as leadership, critical thinking, and problem solving which can lead to
developing meaningful careers in a range of fields (Embassy of the United States).
According to Zammuto (1984), the decline of liberal arts institutions started between
1960 and 1970. The more selective liberal arts institutions enrollment stayed about the same
during this time, but the less selective private institutions began to see their enrollment numbers
slightly increase. Also at this time larger, non-liberal arts schools saw a dramatic increase in their
enrollment. By 1980, 39% of liberal art institutions saw a decrease in their enrollment, where as
non-liberal arts schools only saw a 29% decline. Zammuto (1984) would call this the beginning
of liberal arts education becoming an endangered species.
Though we are continuing to see a decline in those who are attending liberal arts colleges,
Kanter (2010) would say that it is much too early to be writing the liberal art obituary. Even
with the decline in enrolment at liberal arts schools, there has been an increase in students
interest in liberal arts majors, such as humanities, philosophy, and arts, in the past twenty years.
Kanter also stated in her 2010 speech that since 1990, more than 70 honors colleges have opened

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with ties to the liberal arts agenda. Even many of the community colleges have adopted liberal
arts class structure in Kanters area. The humanities and liberal art studies are being seen as
more of a luxury rather than a gateway to a strong educational background. Some argue that the
academics are ill-defined at a liberal arts institution and this does not provide structure for the
student. Where many would argue against a liberal arts education, Kanter argues that even
though only 3% of all American college students graduate from a liberal arts college, 20% of
American presidents, 20% of Pulitzer Prize winners from 1960 to 1998 in drama, history, and
poetry, and 1 in 12 of the nations wealthiest CEOs were graduates of liberal arts schools. Kanter
goes in to stating many of the aforementioned benefits of a liberal arts education to be the
catalyst of this type of success. Though a liberal arts education is difficult to quantify, according
to Kanter, this educational style is extremely important in todays job market. Employers are
looking for students who can confidently engage with strong communication skills as well as
critical thinking and problem solving skills with the capacity to work effectively in teams (Kant,
2010).
Though Kant certainly addresses the students concerns of going to an institution that has
a high academic standard, it may be an idealistic approach to higher education. Where many of
the success stories she referenced (presidents, CEOs, Pulitzer Prize winners) maybe be of the
upper class and may have the means to afford a higher education, where many may not. Not once
in her speech did Kanter talk about access to these liberal arts education. Where one can agree

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that there are many benefits to a liberal arts education, it may be difficult to say that everyone has
access to it. With cost and access to financial aid being of great importance to the student who is
applying to college, this seems like a topic that should be addressed when trying to convince a
student that liberal art schools are for them. According to the Liberal Arts School Review (2015),
though this type of education has many benefits, there is a severe cost difference between liberal
arts schools and non-liberal arts schools. Typically a liberal arts institution will be more costly
than their large public university counterparts. This can limit the access to the institution for
those who cannot afford it. Kanter made no mention of first generation or lower income students
while she preached about a liberal arts education. This is where many students would need to
find other options in their educational exploits in order to afford their future. This may play into
the idea of getting what you pay for. When the wealthier class of individuals can access a higher
caliber of education, they will reap the benefits of it. Those who are of lower income do not get
these benefits.
With the smaller sizes of the liberal arts schools, it may be more difficult to find a large
amount of diversity on these campuses, with the majority being white (non-Hispanic) students.
According to Smith-Barrow (2015), Amherst College topped the charts of liberal arts schools in
2014 by having just under 16% of its incoming freshmen body being African American. Though
schools are often times boasting about the need for diversity and exemplify themselves as being
diverse campuses, many of these liberal arts schools have African Americans being accepted at

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the lowest rate compared to all other students (Smith-Barrow, 2015). To combat this
phenomenon, organizations such as the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges makes drawing
minorities to the campuses their highest priority. As the councils director claims, It is a matter
of civic responsibility to recruit minority students (Smith-Barrow, 2015). The institutions of
this Council, 28 public liberal arts universities, keep their tuition relatively low in comparison to
private liberal arts schools. This helps those who are of lower income and seeking a liberal arts
education to reach that goal. The schools of this council focus on the student to professor
engagement and want all of their students to feel valued on their campus. It is the belief of this
council that all institutions in the U.S. should be accommodating to the needs of minorities, as
there is an increase in minorities in elementary and secondary education.
Another concern for students that goes along with access is if they will be able to get
student aid when they are accepted to the university. As stated earlier, many students that are
accepted to their top choice university do not end up going to that institution. This could be due
to many liberal arts institutions not being able to offer aid to students. According to Nelson
(2012), this may be something that students will no longer need to be concerned about. Some
liberal arts colleges, such as St. Johns College in Annapolis, are coming up with new programs
in order to help lower tuition for students and increase their student aid. Though, if these
intuitions are not your top choice, you can still attend your liberal arts dream school. Nelson

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claims that study after study has suggested that a liberal arts education is solid investment for the
academically driven student. Though a student must pay a hefty price tag to obtain a liberal arts
degree, the students that graduate with a bachelors degree from a liberal arts school are more
prepared personally and professionally for the workforce. The Annapolis Group survey found
that 60% of graduates from a liberal arts intuition felt as if they were more prepared for their life
after college in comparison to the 34% of those who attended the larger flagship college. Nelson
states that there is a lifelong value to having a liberal arts education, which will help students be
better prepared for their future careers. With this being said, students should not fear the
investment they make towards a liberal arts education. They may have better chance at finding a
high paying job and could be more qualified than those who did not have a liberal arts education
(Nelson, 2012).
Though a research university has its advantages of being more cost friendly, of having a
larger, more diverse community, and potentially more aid and resources for students, it does have
its downfalls that a liberal arts school may not. One downfall is the amount of stress that is on
the professors that work for the university. One professor, David Kroll (2013), gives his account
as to why he believes that being a professor at a research university is an extremely stressful
profession. One reason for this is the need to gain grants in order to do research. Research is
required of many professors at research universities, but they must fight for grant funding in
order to pay a staff for their research. If they lose their funding, they lose their staff, and
ultimately are unable to do their research. Also, while these professors are fighting for these

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funds to perform research in order to obtain tenure or keep their position, they also have students
to attend to. While many students are unprepared for college level work, the research that is
required takes time away from the students needs. Kroll states that this is a huge disadvantage as
the parents of these students will also contact him directly complaining about their students lack
of success in the classroom. Kroll believes that this shows a lack of academic integrity which
does not match the model of an institution that is driven by academic research. With this being
said, the universities will rely more on adjunct and teaching assistants in the classroom to aid the
students. This results in lack of engagement from the professor overall (Kroll, 2013).
Though there are some drawbacks to a liberal art education on the basis of diversity, cost,
and aid, they are nothing short of an excellent force of academia splendor. Hicks (2014) lists
academic need as the number one thing that students are looking for when searching for schools,
which there is no limit of at a liberal arts school. Though research universities are cost effective,
have a larger, more diverse community, and may be more fitting for a student that wants a large
environment, there is no replacement for a professor to take value in each of their students and
know them on a personal level. With smaller class sizes, professors take an interest in their
students success and are able to help them succeed. Without the distraction of the mandatory
research, professors do not have limited time with the students, which ultimately creates a better
learning environment.
Sullivan and Rosin (2008) state in their book, A New Agenda for Higher Education, that
universities are not moving to a new agenda in their classrooms. Whether it be for students

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studying philosophy, law, medical, undergraduate, or graduate studies, there is a need for critical
thinking, self-reflection, and a more interactive classroom. Though the book talks of this being a
new agenda, this is the basis of a liberal arts education. Through discussions of syllabi
professors disclose how they have adapted to this new agenda to focus on the more liberal needs
that make the students appreciate their jobs, understand how to problems solve past their direct
knowledge of the field, and understand how to work with others rather than compete. These are
helpful aspects in any job field, but also need to be taught in some way in the classroom. An
adaption to a liberal arts education can happen on any syllabi, but the professors and institution
need to be understanding of the need for this type of education and the benefits it has long term
for the students career. Perhaps by calling it a new agenda universities will feel as if they are
on the cutting edge of higher education and adapt to these new and innovative ideas that a liberal
arts education has mastered long ago.

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References
Embassy of the United States, (2015). The liberal arts philosophy. Embassy of the United States,
Ottawa Canada.
Hicks, K. (2014). What students are looking for in college. Edcetera.
http://edcetera.rafter.com/what-students-are-looking-for-in-a-college/
Kanter, M. J., (2010). The relevance of the liberal arts to a prosperous democracy: Under
secretary Martha J. Kanters remarks at the Annapolis Group Conference. U.S.
Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/relevance-liberal-artsprosperous-democracy-under-secretary-martha-j-kanter%E2%80%99s-remarksannapolis-group-conference
Kroll, D. (2013). Top 10 reasons being a university professor is a stressful job. Forbes.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkroll/2013/01/05/top-10-reasons-being-a-universityprofessor-is-a-stressful-job/
Liberal Arts School Review, (2015). Characteristics of a liberal arts college. Liberal Arts School
Review. http://www.liberalartscollegereview.com/articles/10
Nelson, C. B., (2012). Yes, you can afford the college of your choice: Liberal arts colleges
increase financial aid. Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christophernelson/college-costs_b_1344931.html

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Smith-Barrow, D., (2015). For liberal arts colleges, enrolling minority students a challenge. US
News. http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2015/01/23/for-liberalarts-colleges-enrolling-minority-students-still-a-challenge
Sullivan, W., & Rosin, M. (2008). A New Agenda For Higher Education (1st ed.). San Francisco,
California: Jossey-Bass.
Zammuto, R. (1984). Are the liberal arts an endangered Species? The Journal of Higher
Education, 55(2), 184-211.