The polarization of that word causes a reaction for some because of the concern that a specific world view or political agenda is being forced upon students who attend. While we find many college campuses to be more on the socially progressive side, in this case the term liberal is derived from the Latin word liber, which means free and unrestricted. This perfectly fits the nature of how academics work at LACs where students aren’t limited to their major, but are required to take courses in different subjects to expand their academic base and have the opportunity to explore all of their interests and become well-rounded scholars.
The word arts can also be a source of confusion as some believe this means that LACs only offer courses in the arts and humanities. While pursuing a bachelors degree in the arts or humanities at a LAC is a great option, many of them also have well-regarded programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). You’ll also find that a STEM discipline is usually among the most popular majors offered at most LACs, namely Biology. There are even a few STEM-focused LACs, as graduate programs and employers understand the value of having scientists, engineers, doctors, mathematicians, programmers, etc. not only possess a strong technical pedigree, but can also understand and communicate the impact their work has on society. LAC graduates are well read, strong writers, and exposed to a broad range of disciplines inside and outside of their area of expertise. This makes them ideal problem solvers, project leads and managers, and adaptable to changes in the job market because they weren’t narrowly trained or educated.
There are plenty of other common features found at LACs that could make for a good fit and investment as your future college choice, including small class sizes, strong graduation rates, access to generous scholarships, and strong community. That said you may find that a Liberal Arts College is not the right choice for you, and that’s fine, just make sure you aren’t missing out on a great opportunity because of a misconception.
