Are you interested in studying culture, society, and the human experience? Perhaps you would love to major in one of the humanities after high school. Studying the humanities involves exploring literature, performing arts, religion, cultural studies, or a related academic discipline (rather than taking classes in natural sciences or technology).
Students making their way through humanities courses will learn how society has developed over time, for a better understanding of why the world is the way it is.
In this article, you'll learn more about specific disciplines within the humanities and social sciences. You'll also gain exposure to some of the top majors within the humanities and learn which careers or jobs you can pursue with different degrees.
Finally, we'll take a look at the field as a whole to give you a better understanding of what the future may look like for graduates with a humanities degree.
Top 5 humanities majors
Let's start by looking at five of the most common majors for humanities students. Obviously, you can consider many more options, but these are a few of the programs students most often choose. Keep in mind that you must also take a few general education courses before taking humanities classes.
History
History majors examine past events and learn how to predict future outcomes and consequences of current events. Students can often choose to specialize in the history of one specific area or time period, and many history majors go on to pursue law degrees after graduation.
History students normally have a strong interest or experience in objective observation, reading, writing, and evaluating data and records from past events. Your coursework could include classes on Western civilization and U.S. history. Your U.S. history classes will probably include courses on pre-Civil War history, along with courses covering events from the late 19th century and 20th century.
Anthropology
Anthropologists study human change and development throughout time. They learn from biology, physics, and social sciences to determine how society came to exist. They use this knowledge to develop an understanding of current problems and solutions that might help.
Students studying anthropology can often choose to specialize in cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, or another specific discipline. Graduates with anthropology degrees often find that their schoolwork helped them learn to think about problems from multiple perspectives and understand the global impact of human activity on a deeper level.
Philosophy
Philosophy is one of the top-ranking majors within all the humanities in terms of potential career earnings. Philosophy students learn how to address complex questions about ethics, morality, the origin of the world, and the development of society.
Once you finish your degree, you'll know how to state your own ideas and perspectives while understanding the arguments someone could make to disprove your point.
Philosophy students typically study logic, ethics, reasoning, and historical thought and philosophy from different time periods. You may also choose a concentration (e.g., law and philosophy or philosophy and religion), depending on which programs your school of choice offers.
Languages
Students who hope to become interpreters or are interested in learning about foreign languages and cultures might choose to become a language major. This usually requires choosing a specific language (such as ancient Greek or Spanish) and learning how to communicate effectively in both written and oral contexts.
Many foreign language students spend time studying abroad to practice using their new linguistic skills and further their study of languages.
Students can also choose to major in modern languages or a language they already know. For example, English majors will learn about the development of the English language on a deeper level. Graduates are well-equipped to pursue careers in publishing or media.
Religious studies
Students studying religion are interested in working in churches, synagogues, mosques, or para-church organizations. They may also have goals of pursuing graduate degrees, doing future research, or teaching at a university. Religious studies majors often hope to deepen their faith or gain a better understanding of sacred texts and practices.
Students in religious studies programs may take classes in religious history or the interpretation of ancient texts, such as the Bible or the Quran. Graduates can go on to work as pastors or ministers, or they may get involved in nonprofit or social work.
Honorable mentions
While we can't mention all the programs we'd like to talk about, here are a few additional fields of study we think would make great options for any interested students:
These are just a few examples of college majors you can choose from as you pursue a liberal arts education within the humanities disciplines.
Top 5 jobs in humanities
Now that you know about the most common degrees in the humanities, let's go over some of the best jobs you can pursue after graduation.
Writer
Writers craft and prepare different forms of content, such as blogs, books, and landing pages. Many writers are self-employed, working on a freelance or contract basis. They make an average annual wage of $69,000, and the field is expected to grow by 4% annually through 2031.
A writing career could be a great option if you have experience writing or blogging or enjoy telling stories and expressing yourself through written words.
Historian
Historians study historical documents and sources to learn about the past and explain how it contributes to the future. Most historians work full-time and often travel to conduct their research. Many historians have master's degrees, although some entry-level positions require only a bachelor's degree.
Historians make around $64,000 each year, on average. The position is projected to grow by 4% each year through 2021. If you are passionate about studying history and love learning about different cultures and past events, perhaps this career is just what you want.
Archaeologist
Archaeologists study the development and origin of humankind through laboratory research and fieldwork. They often work in government or research organizations and sometimes travel for on-site work. Many archaeology jobs require a master's degree, although you could likely work as a fieldworker or assistant with only a bachelor's degree.
Archaeologists make almost $62,000 each year, on average. The need for archaeologists will likely grow by 6% annually through 2021. You may consider pursuing archaeology as a career if you have strong observational skills, are curious about how to piece together fragments of information, and love solving problems or answering questions about the past.
Social worker
Social workers help individuals and families deal with problems that come up in everyday life. Some work in schools, while others work for health care providers or government entities that address child welfare or human services. Social workers often work on nights and weekends.
Social workers often need a license, depending on the state where they work. Many social workers also have master's degrees, but you can find a nonclinical job in social work with a bachelor's degree. Social workers make around $50,000 annually, on average, and job growth of 9% is projected through 2031.
Usually, social workers have a strong capacity for empathy and compassion. They bring strong personal and communication skills to the table and enjoy problem-solving and critical thinking. If this sounds like you, perhaps getting a degree in social work is something to consider.
Interpreter
Interpreters convey information by translating one language into another. They can work in many different settings, including schools, hospitals, conference centers, and courtrooms. Interpreters often have bachelor's degrees, and the average interpreter makes $49,000 per year. With job growth of 20% forecasted each year between now and 2031, there's likely to be a large need for interpreters in the future.
An interpreter must be fluent in multiple languages. It also helps if you're an excellent listener and a skilled communicator. In addition, interpreters should be able to think quickly and make fast decisions, since much of their work will happen in real time inside a fast-paced environment.
Humanities job outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), around 736,000 workers hold liberal arts degrees. They make an average annual salary of $50,000, slightly lower than the $60,000 average employee salary.
One in five is employed on a part-time basis, and more than half of the jobs within the humanities require bachelor's degrees. In addition, 31% of liberal arts graduates have an advanced degree.
Postsecondary teachers tend to make the highest wage among this group, and the need for professors and college-level instructors is projected to grow by 12% annually through 2031. Lawyers also make a good living, and the field is growing steadily at a rate of 10% per year.
Managers and secondary school teachers are next on the list, with these fields projected to grow by 6% and 5%, respectively, each year. Note that these professions typically don't require any education beyond a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
See how College Rover can help you find the best school for you
The humanities are a vast field with many potential focuses and job opportunities. By now, you have a better understanding of what you can do with a humanities degree and what jobs might be a good option for you to pursue once you finish school.
If you want help searching for different colleges and universities, College Rover would love to help. We've built a large online database full of information about different schools and degree programs. We're ready to stand by your side as you choose a college or university. We hope to make the experience a little more awesome in the process.
