What defines a liberal arts university?

Very true. A broad education is a luxury. Not a necessity. It is consumption. Mostly not an investment. It is good to have critical thinking skills. Do they need 40 courses in ancient history or anthropology to develop?

This for example, is part of the reason why medical training is so expensive in the US, and medical services are so expensive as medical graduates feel compelled to charge what they charge – all the extra non-necessary years of college.