Shrinking departments and hordes of qualified candidates have transformed many academic job searches into a numbers game. The game is particularly unforgiving at highly ranked research universities, so for many of us, it’s worthwhile to consider another route to a tenure-track faculty job: the liberal arts college.
What Do These Terms Even Mean?
The difference between a “research university” and a “liberal arts college” is largely an American phenomenon, but it’s not always clear even for folks like myself who have spent their entire lives in the United States.
The structural distinction is whether an institution offers any (or very many) graduate programs. Because the purpose of grad school is usually to learn how to conduct research in a given field, research universities have a particular institutional commitment to supporting graduate education.
There are also, however, many differences in attitude or emphasis. The research university model is the default in academic circles, and liberal arts colleges often position their curricula or educational philosophies in contrast to this default. They might highlight excellence in undergraduate education, curricular flexibility, or unique aspects of their mission or values.
It is a misconception, though, that faculty at undergraduate-focused colleges do not or cannot carry out research agendas. Research still matters, especially at more selective colleges, and this is true across disciplines. The term “liberal arts” is not exclusive: many professors in STEM have fulfilling research and teaching careers at smaller colleges.
Pros and Cons of Teaching at a Liberal Arts College
Specific liberal arts colleges vary widely, of course, so make sure to research any institution where you are interested in applying. But most have several elements that make the teaching experience distinct from that of a research university appointment. Prospective faculty at liberal arts colleges might expect:
- More hours devoted to teaching, mentorship, course development, and pedagogical growth. The overall balance of responsibilities is weighted more toward teaching activity, with most faculty teaching four to six courses per academic year.
- A variety of teaching experiences. Because departments tend to be smaller, faculty at liberal arts colleges often teach a much wider range of courses. They also more frequently team-teach or design experiential learning programs outside their field or even beyond their department.
- Less complex research infrastructure. There is much less pressure for faculty to secure large external grants, but this often corresponds to less institutional support for research overall. Not having graduate students to assist with projects often means a slower pace, and faculty who are not teaching graduate seminars may need to pursue other avenues to stay current in the field. Current faculty assure us, though, that it is possible to do so.
- A broader definition of research. Tenure committees typically require fewer major publications, while also valuing public writing, scholarship in the field of education and pedagogy, and other forms of output that may carry less weight in the research university setting.
- Slightly lower pay. Unfortunately, equivalent positions at liberal arts colleges usually offer smaller salaries than at large research universities. Geographical cost-of-living factors are still relevant, however.
- Faculty governance. Professors at liberal arts colleges play especially active roles in institutional decision-making, with many opportunities (and responsibilities) to develop curricula, join task forces, and shape their work environment.
Action Steps
If you are interested in working at a liberal arts college, here are some steps you might take during graduate school to be competitive:
- Take any available opportunity to teach, and keep all your materials. As you move through your coursework and dissertation research, collect ideas for classes you might want to teach in the future, as many job searches will require multiple sample syllabi.
- Get involved with the center for teaching and learning on your campus. Here at Notre Dame, attend Kaneb Center workshops, request a peer observation, or even inquire about avenues to contribute to scholarship on pedagogy and teaching practices.
- Develop administrative skills to prepare for faculty governance. For example, you might consider running for student government in your department or graduate school. You will also stand out if you work to demonstrate a human-centered understanding of issues that are transforming the landscape of higher education, like generative AI or intellectual freedom. Competence and vision for the future in these areas will make you a valuable colleague indeed.
Kyler Schubkegel is a graduate associate at Notre Dame Learning’s Kaneb Center for Teaching Excellence and is pursuing a Ph.D. in English at the University.
Originally published by at learning.nd.edu on August 06, 2026.