Power of Liberal Arts

America's smaller private colleges and universities prepare students for personal and professional success
  • Libby and Art Photo Contest Winners

    Libby and Art Photo Contest Winners

    ​Baldwin Wallace University (OH) student Hope Fierro, class of 2018, introduced life-sized Libby and Art to two students who struck up a conversation on the quad.
  • Libby and Art Photo Contest Winners

    Libby and Art Photo Contest Winners

    ​Davis & Elkins College (WV) kept Libby and Art warm during their winter tour of the campus with a hat and scarf.
  • Libby and Art Photo Contest Winners

    Libby and Art Photo Contest Winners

    ​Juniata College (PA) showed Libby and Art many aspects of campus life, including its new outdoor classroom, a gift of the class of 2014.

  • ​McKendree University (IL) students (the Bearcats) welcomed Libby and Art to their Thanksgiving feast.
  • Students in STEM Fields Are More Likely to Graduate on Time from Private Colleges
    80% of graduates finished within four years at smaller private colleges, compared to 52% at larger public universities and 34% at regional public universities.
    Learn more
  • Steven Yeun
    I was surrounded by an eclectic mix of peers who pushed me and exposed me to experience so many different cultures and ideologies. It was a true coming-of-age college experience.

    Steven Yeun

    Actor, The Walking Dead
    Kalamazoo College (MI), Class of 2005
  • Naomi Pomeroy
    At the end of the day, our college experiences are what we make of them. I chose one of spontaneity, adventure, and discipline, and it informs my passion and dedication to my work every day. I am so grateful that I chose to get a liberal arts education.

    Naomi Pomeroy

    Chef and Restaurant Owner
    Lewis & Clark College (OR), Class of 1997
  • Dzifa Yador
    I would encourage all parents of high school students to really take a moment and explore all that a liberal arts education has to offer.

    Dzifa Yador

    Production Manager, MTV Networks/Viacom
    St. Lawrence University (NY), Class of 2011
  • Jascha Kaykas-Wolff
    When you're in an environment like a liberal arts school, the opportunity is to learn how to ask great questions, to seek curiosity, and ultimately help you learn. To be able to construct a great question—to help uncover something that is going to be a meaningful addition to your life—is unique to the way liberal arts schools are run.

    Jascha Kaykas-Wolff

    Chief Marketing Officer, BitTorrent
    Whittier College (CA), Class of 1998
  • Baktash Ahadi
    It is no surprise that many liberal arts graduates can be found disproportionately in leadership positions in politics, culture, and the economy. This is the case in Washington, DC, where I have established my personal and professional network.

    Baktash Ahadi

    Former Advisor, Mentor, and Translator for the U.S. Special Operations Task Force in Afghanistan
    Susquehanna University (PA), Class of 2005
​​View all graduates​
Skip Navigation LinksHome

  • Quick 5:

    Quotes about the Liberal Arts

    • #1
      #1: Anson Mount
      Actor (Hell on Wheels)

      “I get asked by young people all the time who want to be actors what they should do and how they should prepare... I say, ‘Go to a good liberal arts college.’ It forces your brain to understand things mathematically, linguistically, philosophically, and artistically.” (source)
    • #2
      #2: Vivek Ranadivé
      Founder and CEO of TIBCO, Owner Sacramento Kings

      “The people who will succeed in more expensive labor markets like the U.S. will be those who can think creatively and generate the IDEAS that will propel economic growth. Such skills are best fostered in a traditional liberal arts environment.” (source)
    • #3
      #3: Fareed Zakaria
      CNN Anchor and Author

      “A liberal education…teaches you how to learn – to read in a variety of subjects, find data, analyze information… Given the pace of change that is transforming industries and professions these days, you will need that skill of learning and retooling all the time.” (source)
    • #4
      #4: Steve Jobs
      Founder and Former CEO of Apple

      "It's in Apple's DNA that technology alone is not enough. It's technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields the results that make our hearts sing." (source)
    • #5
      #5: Lee Hamilton
      Former U.S. Congressman and Co-Chair of the 9/11 Commission

      “I think liberal arts education is phenomenally important… It’s practical; it leads to good employment, promotion, and leadership positions in all kinds of organizations.” (source)
  • Employers Want Liberal Arts Knowledge

    80% of employers think every student should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts.

    Learn more

​What are the Liberal Arts?

Libby and Art
Meet Libby & Art​
  • Lym5KFbDCtM

    Liberal Arts: Ron Kirk, Austin College — Senior of Counsel, Gibson, Dunn & Krutcher; Former U.S. Trade Representative; Former Mayor of Dallas; Former Secretary of State of Texas

  • Cze2-LU_12w

    Liberal Arts: Dzifa Yador, St. Lawrence University — Dzifa Yador Production Coordinator, MTV Networks/Viacom

  • G9pW5OPpLIM

    Liberal Arts: Phelosha Collaros, St. John's College — Phelosha Collaros Director, ASRT Foundation

  • olKAjklxsrc

    Liberal Arts: Isaac Holeman, Lewis & Clark College — Isaac Holeman Cofounder, Medic Mobile Member, Forbes' 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneur List

  • wcTMwu7KOwY

    Liberal Arts: Mary Elizabeth Ulliman, Saint Mary's College — Mary Elizabeth Ulliman Account Manager, Google

  • MfRDvsr7sfw

    Liberal Arts: Jascha Kaykas-Wolff, Whittier College — Jascha Kaykas-Wolff Chief Marketing Officer, BitTorrent

  • CIcwdSq628Y

    The Power of a Liberal Arts Education - with James Rebhorn — Wittenberg University graduate James Rebhorn discusses the value of the liberal arts.

  • Obsp_4HpQ-I

    Liberal Arts Prepares Students For Careers in Technology — Colgate University alumni met at Google HQ to talk about Digital Media and Technology.

  • 4yjgMwKh0XI

    The Power of A Liberal Arts Education — Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in MA

  • FZ8C_WGXE5I

    Why Austin College? — Austin College alum Sameen Wajid '13 speaks on college choices, where you will spend the next 4 years, and what if you don't have all the answers.