Career and Salary Data

Are Arts & Humanities majors prepared to succeed in the workplace after graduation?

• “Liberal arts majors reach leadership positions more often than people with technical degrees, according to a study of 15,000 executives in 18 countries”.
• According to one study, Humanities majors outperformed other degrees on 5 of 8 leadership skill areas: Compelling Communication, Driving for Results, Entrepreneurship, Influence, and Inspiring Excellence.

Will employers value the skills I gain as an Arts & Humanities major?

• 91% of employers believe that “a candidate’s demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than his or her undergraduate major.”
• 78% of employers believe “all college students should gain intercultural skills and an understanding of societies and countries outside the United States.”
• Employers rated liberal arts majors as better prepared or much better prepared than non-liberal arts majors in 21 of 24 essential job skills, including written and oral communication, ability to work in a diverse environment, innovation, use of persuasion, critical thinking, navigating organizational boundaries and sustaining work relationships.

Will an Arts & Humanities major prepare me for graduate school in a professional field?

• Humanities majors have higher MCAT scores and a higher acceptance rate to medical school than biological science, physical science or social science majors.
• Arts & Humanities majors have a higher acceptance rate at top-tier MBA programs than business and quantitative-based majors.
• The top ten majors most likely to be admitted to law school include Classics (90.56% acceptance rate), Philosophy (86.4%), and Foreign Languages (85.96%).

Can I work in a field that isn't directly related to my major?

• “62% of recent college graduates are working in jobs that require a degree, yet only 27% of college graduates are working in a job that relates to their major.”

Are Arts & Humanities graduates satisfied with their career opportunities?

How much do UC Berkeley graduates in the Arts & Humanities make?

• According to the UC Office of the President, the average UC Berkeley Arts & Humanities graduate working in California makes $35,914 after graduation, and $70,223 after 10 years. The top 75th percentile of UC Berkeley Arts & Humanities graduates make $50,896 after graduation, and $108,722 after 10 years.
• PayScale ranks UC Berkeley as #13 in the country for Best Value for Humanities majors.
• Use the NACE Job Seekers Salary Calculator to learn more about what salary you can expect in specific professions in different states and regions.
• Explore more resources about salary information on the UC Berkeley Career Center website.