Which state pays liberal arts and general studies bachelor's graduates the most?

Wisconsin, where the median program pays its graduates $43,714 in their first year, the highest of 33 state rankings. Connecticut is next, at $42,807.

Which liberal arts and general studies bachelor's program pays the most?

MIT in Massachusetts reports the highest first-year pay of the 389 programs ranked here, $103,135. Its median federal debt is $11,935.

How much debt do liberal arts and general studies bachelor's graduates have?

The median program leaves its graduates with $27,000 in federal debt. Across programs, the median debt is 73% of first-year pay.

Highest-Paying Liberal Arts and General Studies (Bachelor's) Programs in the US

395 programs report first-year pay
33 state rankings
Bachelor's in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

College Scorecard June 2026 release · BLS wages May 2025

The short answer

The median liberal arts and general studies bachelor's program in the US pays its graduates $36,157 in their first year and $48,575 five years after. Wisconsin has the highest state median ($43,714), and South Carolina the lowest ($28,364). The median program leaves its graduates with $27,000 in federal debt.

Median first-year pay$36,157Across 395 programs

Median pay after 5 years$48,575Across 393 programs

Median federal debt$27,000Across 427 programs

Debt-to-earnings73%Across 387 programs

All 389 programs, ranked by graduate pay

Each program is ranked by the median pay of its graduates one year after they finished, from College Scorecard. This measures what graduates earn, not how good the teaching is. Pay also depends on where graduates live and work. Programs that don't report a figure are listed last when you sort by it.

#	School	Year 1 pay	After cost of living	Year 5 pay	Debt	Debt to pay
1	MITCambridge, MA · private nonprofit	$103,135	Not adjusted	Not reported	$11,935	12%
2	DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · private nonprofit	$84,066	$84,101	$86,015	$42,350	50%
3	Molloy UniversityRockville Centre, NY · private nonprofit	$74,868	$69,373	Not reported	$31,000	41%
4	Bentley UniversityWaltham, MA · private nonprofit	$72,333	$68,395	$103,187	$26,000	36%
5	Champlain CollegeBurlington, VT · private nonprofit	$71,207	Not adjusted	$57,437	$23,949	34%
6	Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC · private nonprofit	$66,719	Not adjusted	$119,188	$25,000	37%
7	Thomas More UniversityCrestview Hills, KY · private nonprofit	$62,607	Not adjusted	Not reported	$29,358	47%
8	Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · private nonprofit	$62,470	$64,025	$68,119	$27,154	43%
9	American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV · private for-profit	$62,059	Not adjusted	Not reported	$6,265	10%
10	Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · private nonprofit	$61,133	Not adjusted	Not reported	$15,750	26%
11	National UniversitySan Diego, CA · private nonprofit	$57,429	Not adjusted	Not reported	$35,426	62%
12	University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN · public	$56,778	$57,572	Not reported	$21,250	37%
13	Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaMoraga, CA · private nonprofit	$56,094	$50,663	$63,470	$27,000	48%
14	SNHUManchester, NH · private nonprofit	$55,339	Not adjusted	$61,845	$29,084	53%
15	UW-Green BayGreen Bay, WI · public	$54,436	$57,852	$49,378	$27,000	50%
16	Saint Joseph's UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · private nonprofit	$53,766	$55,104	$70,905	$43,575	81%
17	University of St Thomas (Texas)Houston, TX · private nonprofit	$53,187	$54,800	Not reported	$25,000	47%
18	Regis CollegeWeston, MA · private nonprofit	$52,559	$49,698	Not reported	$27,000	51%
19	Excelsior UniversityAlbany, NY · private nonprofit	$52,429	Not adjusted	$64,828	$11,875	23%
20	Saint Xavier UniversityChicago, IL · private nonprofit	$51,054	$51,075	$52,042	$31,000	61%
21	Athens StateAthens, AL · public	$50,903	$57,308	$40,930	$27,839	55%
22	William Jewell CollegeLiberty, MO · private nonprofit	$50,663	$55,786	$64,663	$26,831	53%
23	University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL · private nonprofit	$50,614	$48,943	Not reported	$28,590	56%
24	UW-OshkoshOshkosh, WI · public	$50,438	$53,603	$60,619	$31,154	62%
25	Trinity Washington UniversityWashington, DC · private nonprofit	$50,283	$45,753	Not reported	$36,000	72%
26	Thomas Edison State UniversityTrenton, NJ · public	$49,779	Not adjusted	$54,955	$19,766	40%
27	JMUHarrisonburg, VA · public	$49,408	$48,868	$53,680	$23,250	47%
28	ASUTempe, AZ · public	$49,147	Not adjusted	$62,843	$31,000	63%
29	Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN · public	$49,083	$49,769	$70,018	$32,145	65%
30	University of Arizona Global CampusChandler, AZ · public	$49,010	Not adjusted	$51,140	$31,500	64%
31	Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO · private nonprofit	$48,829	Not adjusted	Not reported	$54,581	112%
32	Notre Dame of Maryland UniversityBaltimore, MD · private nonprofit	$48,819	$46,512	$52,702	$28,000	57%
33	UCFOrlando, FL · public	$48,391	$46,793	$55,048	$15,135	31%
34	University of the Incarnate WordSan Antonio, TX · private nonprofit	$47,241	Not adjusted	$54,028	$21,004	44%
35	Spring Arbor UniversitySpring Arbor, MI · private nonprofit	$47,121	$48,974	$49,430	$30,657	65%
36	Xavier UniversityCincinnati, OH · private nonprofit	$47,064	$50,730	$61,535	$23,250	49%
37	Bridgewater CollegeBridgewater, VA · private nonprofit	$46,820	$46,309	$47,686	$26,000	56%
38	Longwood UniversityFarmville, VA · public	$46,714	$46,204	$50,634	$25,375	54%
39	Belmont Abbey CollegeBelmont, NC · private nonprofit	$46,654	$49,460	$44,236	$33,291	71%
40	Eastern Mennonite UniversityHarrisonburg, VA · private nonprofit	$46,585	$46,076	$48,303	$27,000	58%
41	Antioch UniversityYellow Springs, OH · private nonprofit	$46,487	$50,108	$48,020	$29,832	64%
42	Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry, NY · private nonprofit	$46,408	$43,002	Not reported	$33,687	73%
43	Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY · private nonprofit	$46,072	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
44	Barry UniversityMiami, FL · private nonprofit	$46,015	$44,496	$44,985	$46,429	101%
45	Chicago StateChicago, IL · public	$45,762	$45,781	$46,102	$54,000	118%
46	University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK · public	$45,726	$52,054	$55,641	$27,000	59%
47	Lee UniversityCleveland, TN · private nonprofit	$45,678	Not adjusted	$42,674	$28,979	63%
48	Notre DameNotre Dame, IN · private nonprofit	$45,579	Not adjusted	$87,620	$18,800	41%
49	Union CollegeSchenectady, NY · private nonprofit	$45,516	Not adjusted	$49,183	$24,500	54%
50	Endicott CollegeBeverly, MA · private nonprofit	$45,277	$42,812	$49,010	$15,456	34%
51	UT AustinAustin, TX · public	$45,243	$46,615	$65,567	$19,052	42%
52	USFTampa, FL · public	$45,230	$43,737	$52,747	$30,676	68%
53	Columbia College (Missouri)Columbia, MO · private nonprofit	$45,133	Not adjusted	$54,849	$30,658	68%
54	Middle Tennessee StateMurfreesboro, TN · public	$45,074	$49,063	$51,748	$29,723	66%
55	Alverno CollegeMilwaukee, WI · private nonprofit	$44,812	$47,624	$48,142	$43,066	96%
56	Siena Heights UniversityAdrian, MI · private nonprofit	$44,746	$46,505	Not reported	$27,137	61%
57	Wayland Baptist UniversityPlainview, TX · private nonprofit	$44,688	$46,043	$62,255	$24,258	54%
58	Whitworth UniversitySpokane, WA · private nonprofit	$44,645	$41,719	$54,169	$36,988	83%
59	Charter Oak State CollegeNew Britain, CT · public	$44,615	$43,061	$60,492	$25,000	56%
60	Aurora UniversityAurora, IL · private nonprofit	$44,614	$44,633	Not reported	$27,000	61%
60	Minot StateMinot, ND · public	$44,614	$50,151	Not reported	$29,147	65%
62	Utah Valley UniversityOrem, UT · public	$44,366	$44,876	$36,343	$21,458	48%
63	UConnStorrs, CT · public	$44,240	$42,699	$57,793	$22,000	50%
64	Worcester StateWorcester, MA · public	$43,996	$41,601	Not reported	$23,907	54%
65	Cameron UniversityLawton, OK · public	$43,865	$49,936	Not reported	$26,189	60%
66	Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · private nonprofit	$43,763	$46,891	$48,336	$27,000	62%
67	Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · public	$43,752	$43,458	$54,948	$21,600	49%
68	University of BridgeportBridgeport, CT · private nonprofit	$43,743	$42,219	$57,395	$32,147	73%
69	UW-Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI · public	$43,714	Not adjusted	$43,223	$21,312	49%
70	Simpson CollegeIndianola, IA · private nonprofit	$43,635	$49,720	$40,292	$27,000	62%
71	South Dakota StateBrookings, SD · public	$43,563	$49,176	$48,310	$29,731	68%
72	Lamar UniversityBeaumont, TX · public	$43,524	$44,844	$48,465	$29,298	67%
73	University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV · public	$43,520	$43,529	$55,997	$23,790	55%
74	University of IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · private nonprofit	$43,509	$46,619	$60,437	$31,000	71%
75	Rowan UniversityGlassboro, NJ · public	$43,486	$39,967	$54,186	$27,000	62%
76	Ohio StateColumbus, OH · public	$43,393	$46,773	$49,273	$21,250	49%
77	Eastern New Mexico UniversityPortales, NM · public	$43,186	$46,833	$49,919	$22,301	52%
78	City College of New YorkNew York, NY · public	$43,059	$39,899	$52,617	$12,985	30%
79	Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago, IL · public	$42,976	$42,994	$45,509	$17,000	40%
80	University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND · public	$42,948	$48,278	$58,428	$24,901	58%
81	Luther CollegeDecorah, IA · private nonprofit	$42,926	Not adjusted	$54,501	$27,000	63%
82	Fort Hays StateHays, KS · public	$42,795	$47,514	$51,328	$26,573	62%
83	UW-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI · public	$42,673	$45,351	$62,368	$29,000	68%
84	Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA · private nonprofit	$42,669	$42,203	$42,579	$25,291	59%
85	University of KansasLawrence, KS · public	$42,527	$47,217	$57,045	$22,500	53%
86	University of Mary Hardin-BaylorBelton, TX · private nonprofit	$42,522	$43,811	$56,579	$31,000	73%
87	Baker CollegeOwosso, MI · private nonprofit	$42,426	$44,094	$53,139	$44,313	104%
88	Stockton UniversityGalloway, NJ · public	$42,209	$38,793	$56,142	$27,000	64%
89	Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction, CO · public	$42,136	$40,888	$45,017	$25,970	62%
90	Governors StateUniversity Park, IL · public	$42,107	$42,125	$43,379	$36,500	87%
91	Vermont StateRandolph, VT · public	$41,999	$42,874	$48,262	Not reported	Not reported
92	Eastern Connecticut StateWillimantic, CT · public	$41,870	$40,411	$50,040	$25,373	61%
93	Jackson StateJackson, MS · public	$41,812	$48,086	Not reported	$48,911	117%
94	Texas Woman's UniversityDenton, TX · public	$41,803	$43,071	$56,603	$32,625	78%
95	Friends UniversityWichita, KS · private nonprofit	$41,734	Not adjusted	Not reported	$31,500	75%
96	NC StateRaleigh, NC · public	$41,661	$44,167	Not reported	$25,993	62%
97	University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello, AR · public	$41,530	$47,770	$42,474	$20,683	50%
98	IU IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · public	$41,499	$44,465	$49,421	$29,000	70%
99	George MasonFairfax, VA · public	$41,398	$40,946	$59,124	$24,500	59%
100	Union UniversityJackson, TN · private nonprofit	$41,320	$44,977	$45,443	Not reported	Not reported
101	West Virginia StateInstitute, WV · public	$41,319	$46,168	$43,268	$31,125	75%
102	Rider UniversityLawrenceville, NJ · private nonprofit	$41,315	$37,972	$65,807	$22,233	54%
103	Belmont UniversityNashville, TN · private nonprofit	$41,245	Not adjusted	$73,156	$29,438	71%
104	Kent StateKent, OH · public	$41,205	$44,414	$50,733	$31,963	78%
105	Bay Path UniversityLongmeadow, MA · private nonprofit	$41,141	Not adjusted	$43,713	$29,572	72%
106	Dakota StateMadison, SD · public	$41,119	Not adjusted	Not reported	$37,250	91%
107	Sam Houston StateHuntsville, TX · public	$41,112	$42,359	$53,420	$25,750	63%
108	Wilmington UniversityNew Castle, DE · private nonprofit	$41,066	Not adjusted	$51,376	$29,971	73%
109	UABBirmingham, AL · public	$40,968	$46,123	$50,137	$28,500	70%
110	University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE · public	$40,892	$45,384	$53,598	$26,310	64%
111	Mary Baldwin UniversityStaunton, VA · private nonprofit	$40,887	$40,441	$40,290	$27,089	66%
112	Saint Leo UniversitySaint Leo, FL · private nonprofit	$40,874	$39,525	$54,870	$30,624	75%
113	West Texas A&M UniversityCanyon, TX · public	$40,793	$42,030	$49,345	$23,250	57%
114	University of IowaIowa City, IA · public	$40,791	$46,479	$59,491	$25,269	62%
115	Saginaw Valley StateUniversity Center, MI · public	$40,740	$42,342	$67,148	$38,865	95%
116	Baker UniversityBaldwin City, KS · private nonprofit	$40,704	$45,193	$45,760	$27,000	66%
117	Texas TechLubbock, TX · public	$40,600	$41,831	$54,047	$28,713	71%
118	Miami UniversityOxford, OH · public	$40,556	$43,715	$48,701	$31,000	76%
119	UW-WhitewaterWhitewater, WI · public	$40,494	$43,035	$49,173	$32,501	80%
120	University of Mount UnionAlliance, OH · private nonprofit	$40,431	$43,580	$56,981	$27,000	67%
121	Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwah, NJ · public	$40,331	$37,067	$55,423	$27,625	68%
122	Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL · public	$40,273	$40,290	$53,353	$24,250	60%
123	UT ArlingtonArlington, TX · public	$40,185	$41,404	$55,901	$28,750	72%
124	Washington StatePullman, WA · public	$40,061	$37,436	$46,521	$22,881	57%
125	University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA · public	$40,009	$45,588	$39,695	$26,400	66%
126	Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IA · private nonprofit	$39,996	$45,573	$51,137	$25,973	65%
127	UMKCKansas City, MO · public	$39,992	$44,036	$48,560	$25,000	63%
128	University of Maine at AugustaAugusta, ME · public	$39,982	$41,197	$49,546	$27,841	70%
129	East Texas A&M UniversityCommerce, TX · public	$39,969	$41,181	$45,835	$28,933	72%
130	IU EastRichmond, IN · public	$39,936	$42,791	$44,852	$29,072	73%
131	Weber StateOgden, UT · public	$39,864	$40,322	$58,770	$21,361	54%
132	Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT · private nonprofit	$39,764	Not adjusted	$68,048	$16,125	41%
133	Sonoma StateRohnert Park, CA · public	$39,758	$35,909	$58,913	$16,500	42%
134	Morgan StateBaltimore, MD · public	$39,699	$37,823	Not reported	$32,512	82%
135	Purdue Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · public	$39,564	$42,392	$46,772	$24,106	61%
136	Adams StateAlamosa, CO · public	$39,546	$38,375	$46,747	$24,879	63%
137	Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston, ID · public	$39,404	$41,263	$52,127	$26,698	68%
138	University of MissouriColumbia, MO · public	$39,317	$43,293	$53,300	$20,569	52%
139	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusTeaneck, NJ · private nonprofit	$39,071	$35,909	$50,319	$26,000	67%
140	Southeastern Oklahoma StateDurant, OK · public	$38,899	$44,282	$42,648	$22,879	59%
141	Texas StateSan Marcos, TX · public	$38,829	$40,006	$57,785	$26,599	69%
142	Ferris StateBig Rapids, MI · public	$38,583	$40,100	$43,033	$29,852	77%
143	CSU PuebloPueblo, CO · public	$38,502	$37,362	$43,701	$25,750	67%
144	Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD · public	$38,478	$36,660	$50,005	$25,000	65%
145	NYUNew York, NY · private nonprofit	$38,447	$35,625	$68,008	$21,787	57%
146	Emporia StateEmporia, KS · public	$38,423	$42,660	$44,658	$26,492	69%
147	University of Maine at Presque IslePresque Isle, ME · public	$38,395	Not adjusted	Not reported	$24,750	64%
148	UMSLSaint Louis, MO · public	$38,332	$42,208	$49,013	$35,750	93%
149	Texas A&M-Central TexasKilleen, TX · public	$38,253	$39,413	$52,578	$22,688	59%
150	Randall UniversityMoore, OK · private nonprofit	$38,244	Not adjusted	Not reported	$30,786	80%
151	Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL · public	$38,196	$38,212	$48,040	$28,750	75%
152	St. Joseph's University-New YorkBrooklyn, NY · private nonprofit	$38,090	$35,294	$41,232	$26,625	70%
153	Oregon StateCorvallis, OR · public	$38,083	$36,845	$52,570	$25,439	67%
154	University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI · public	$38,065	$39,562	$52,125	$20,728	54%
155	Los Angeles Pacific UniversityGlendora, CA · private nonprofit	$37,985	$34,307	Not reported	$33,893	89%
156	University of North GeorgiaDahlonega, GA · public	$37,981	$39,443	$48,240	$24,967	66%
157	SUNY CortlandCortland, NY · public	$37,940	$35,155	$50,640	$28,150	74%
158	Oklahoma StateStillwater, OK · public	$37,938	$43,188	$56,670	$26,000	69%
159	Clayton StateMorrow, GA · public	$37,898	$39,357	$50,621	$45,202	119%
160	Penn StateUniversity Park, PA · public	$37,834	$38,775	$48,587	$27,750	73%
161	Medgar Evers CollegeBrooklyn, NY · public	$37,808	$35,033	$39,472	$13,797	36%
162	University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS · public	$37,800	$43,472	Not reported	$28,438	75%
163	University of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK · public	$37,786	$43,015	$49,223	$27,000	71%
164	UM-DearbornDearborn, MI · public	$37,742	$39,226	$46,711	$32,609	86%
165	Tennessee StateNashville, TN · public	$37,716	Not adjusted	$60,054	$38,562	102%
166	UNC Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC · public	$37,709	$39,977	Not reported	$13,000	34%
167	Texas A&M-TexarkanaTexarkana, TX · public	$37,685	$38,828	Not reported	$25,000	66%
168	University of Mary WashingtonFredericksburg, VA · public	$37,677	$37,266	$56,274	$22,354	59%
169	Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY · public	$37,602	$41,706	$54,111	$28,750	76%
170	Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL · public	$37,545	$37,561	$48,439	$28,544	76%
171	IU SoutheastNew Albany, IN · public	$37,440	$40,116	$44,836	$28,948	77%
172	East Central UniversityAda, OK · public	$37,389	$42,563	Not reported	$25,354	68%
173	West Liberty UniversityWest Liberty, WV · public	$37,379	$41,766	$42,711	$31,000	83%
174	Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceProvidence, RI · private nonprofit	$37,266	Not adjusted	Not reported	$28,090	75%
175	Hampton UniversityHampton, VA · private nonprofit	$37,179	Not adjusted	Not reported	$26,000	70%
176	Ole MissUniversity, MS · public	$37,174	$42,752	$46,381	$25,450	68%
177	University of MemphisMemphis, TN · public	$37,158	$40,446	$47,098	$38,972	105%
178	UMass LowellLowell, MA · public	$37,140	$35,118	$45,337	$27,000	73%
179	IU NorthwestGary, IN · public	$37,035	$39,682	$45,103	$31,000	84%
180	Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange, NJ · private nonprofit	$36,993	$33,999	$64,659	$25,000	68%
181	University of Massachusetts GlobalAliso Viejo, CA · public	$36,875	$33,305	$59,101	$27,608	75%
182	University of Central MissouriWarrensburg, MO · public	$36,845	$40,571	$48,240	$27,106	74%
183	East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · public	$36,809	$39,023	$44,670	$27,000	73%
183	Husson UniversityBangor, ME · private nonprofit	$36,809	$37,928	Not reported	$31,000	84%
185	Missouri Southern StateJoplin, MO · public	$36,783	$40,502	$40,509	$31,000	84%
186	Pittsburg StatePittsburg, KS · public	$36,597	$40,633	$47,881	$23,500	64%
187	UNTDenton, TX · public	$36,588	$37,697	$55,226	$22,254	61%
188	Iowa StateAmes, IA · public	$36,532	$41,626	$44,888	$28,623	78%
189	Cal State East BayHayward, CA · public	$36,509	$32,974	$58,970	$15,944	44%
190	UMass AmherstAmherst, MA · public	$36,362	$34,383	$54,887	$25,742	71%
191	Mississippi StateMississippi State, MS · public	$36,318	$41,767	Not reported	$28,435	78%
191	RITRochester, NY · private nonprofit	$36,318	$33,652	$45,964	$28,000	77%
193	Northwestern Oklahoma StateAlva, OK · public	$36,300	$41,324	$43,700	$22,170	61%
194	USC UpstateSpartanburg, SC · public	$36,241	$38,657	$43,441	$30,000	83%
195	Southern Connecticut StateNew Haven, CT · public	$36,168	$34,908	$47,918	$26,625	74%
196	Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MI · public	$36,157	$37,579	$61,563	$28,000	77%
197	Concordia University TexasAustin, TX · private nonprofit	$36,012	$37,104	$44,835	$32,474	90%
198	Delaware StateDover, DE · public	$35,998	Not adjusted	$49,938	$24,980	69%
199	Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY · public	$35,958	$39,883	$39,737	$31,000	86%
200	UL MonroeMonroe, LA · public	$35,951	$40,758	$54,010	$26,844	75%
201	Valparaiso UniversityValparaiso, IN · private nonprofit	$35,931	Not adjusted	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
202	University of South DakotaVermillion, SD · public	$35,907	$40,533	Not reported	$30,092	84%
203	Southern Utah UniversityCedar City, UT · public	$35,814	$36,226	$38,062	$16,001	45%
204	IU BloomingtonBloomington, IN · public	$35,775	$38,332	$47,380	$22,842	64%
205	RutgersNew Brunswick, NJ · public	$35,768	$32,873	Not reported	$23,000	64%
206	Grand Valley StateAllendale, MI · public	$35,767	$37,173	$53,130	$31,000	87%
207	Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY · public	$35,746	$39,648	$40,352	$28,892	81%
208	Austin PeayClarksville, TN · public	$35,745	$38,908	$43,136	$27,128	76%
209	Anderson University (Indiana)Anderson, IN · private nonprofit	$35,722	$38,275	Not reported	$29,440	82%
210	Lesley UniversityCambridge, MA · private nonprofit	$35,658	$33,717	$41,991	$30,057	84%
211	Missouri Baptist UniversitySaint Louis, MO · private nonprofit	$35,595	Not adjusted	Not reported	$29,154	82%
212	University of HoustonHouston, TX · public	$35,565	$36,643	$52,064	$21,000	59%
213	Langston UniversityLangston, OK · public	$35,510	Not adjusted	$34,231	$31,000	87%
214	IU KokomoKokomo, IN · public	$35,482	$38,018	$45,364	$24,236	68%
215	Southeast Missouri StateCape Girardeau, MO · public	$35,464	$39,050	$48,292	$26,875	76%
216	Winston-Salem StateWinston-Salem, NC · public	$35,414	$37,544	$35,537	$28,524	81%
217	Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA · private nonprofit	$35,398	$33,078	$64,875	$23,500	66%
218	Florida StateTallahassee, FL · public	$35,361	$34,194	$44,771	$21,349	60%
219	Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie, NY · private nonprofit	$35,316	Not adjusted	Not reported	$18,652	53%
220	McNeese StateLake Charles, LA · public	$35,282	$39,999	$41,559	$27,000	77%
221	Tarleton StateStephenville, TX · public	$35,270	$36,339	$47,110	$26,875	76%
222	Ball StateMuncie, IN · public	$35,269	$37,790	$46,722	$26,965	76%
223	Neumann UniversityAston, PA · private nonprofit	$35,220	$36,096	$59,746	$31,000	88%
224	Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · public	$35,205	$36,081	Not reported	$34,372	98%
225	Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA · private nonprofit	$35,194	$31,786	$59,335	$25,000	71%
226	Cal Poly SLOSan Luis Obispo, CA · public	$35,056	$31,662	$64,390	$17,500	50%
227	Westfield StateWestfield, MA · public	$35,004	$33,099	$50,601	$27,000	77%
228	California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks, CA · private nonprofit	$34,989	$31,601	$59,025	$21,897	63%
229	WVUMorgantown, WV · public	$34,883	$38,977	$50,214	$25,000	72%
230	Virginia StatePetersburg, VA · public	$34,877	$34,496	$49,029	$31,000	89%
231	LSU ShreveportShreveport, LA · public	$34,855	$39,515	$39,822	$34,500	99%
232	Nelson UniversityWaxahachie, TX · private nonprofit	$34,800	$35,855	$64,702	$29,875	86%
233	Ripon CollegeRipon, WI · private nonprofit	$34,731	$36,911	Not reported	$27,000	78%
234	Ohio UniversityAthens, OH · public	$34,707	$37,410	$46,063	$26,000	75%
235	Texas Southern UniversityHouston, TX · public	$34,661	$35,712	$48,744	$48,500	140%
236	Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA · public	$34,576	$35,907	$47,052	$31,000	90%
237	University of Southern IndianaEvansville, IN · public	$34,573	$37,044	$51,048	$17,707	51%
238	Colorado StateFort Collins, CO · public	$34,540	$33,517	$49,230	$25,000	72%
239	FIUMiami, FL · public	$34,418	$33,282	$49,791	$25,571	74%
240	University of MaineOrono, ME · public	$34,404	$35,450	$49,255	$21,166	62%
241	UTSASan Antonio, TX · public	$34,397	$35,440	$47,235	$24,419	71%
242	Lubbock Christian UniversityLubbock, TX · private nonprofit	$34,330	$35,371	Not reported	$27,359	80%
243	Mayville StateMayville, ND · public	$34,306	Not adjusted	Not reported	$27,926	81%
244	Murray StateMurray, KY · public	$34,304	$38,048	$44,106	$28,162	82%
245	UMGCAdelphi, MD · public	$34,196	Not adjusted	Not reported	$20,500	60%
246	University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff, AR · public	$34,143	$39,273	$35,698	$31,000	91%
247	Arkansas StateJonesboro, AR · public	$33,881	$38,972	$42,203	$27,000	80%
248	Thomas More College of Liberal ArtsMerrimack, NH · private nonprofit	$33,863	Not adjusted	Not reported	$27,000	80%
249	Johnson C Smith UniversityCharlotte, NC · private nonprofit	$33,847	$35,883	Not reported	$36,285	107%
250	Fairmont StateFairmont, WV · public	$33,815	$37,783	$44,626	$30,939	91%
251	California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA · private nonprofit	$33,793	$30,521	$55,626	$28,587	85%
252	UA Little RockLittle Rock, AR · public	$33,780	$38,856	$40,951	$31,000	92%
253	University of CincinnatiCincinnati, OH · public	$33,745	Not adjusted	Not reported	$21,067	62%
254	IU South BendSouth Bend, IN · public	$33,716	$36,126	$40,789	$25,319	75%
255	Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond, LA · public	$33,705	$38,211	$44,723	$26,541	79%
256	University of KentuckyLexington, KY · public	$33,700	$37,378	Not reported	$30,690	91%
257	Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TN · public	$33,678	$36,658	$47,032	$21,000	62%
258	University of IdahoMoscow, ID · public	$33,620	$35,206	$42,977	$26,209	78%
259	Cal State Dominguez HillsCarson, CA · public	$33,588	$30,336	$42,981	$15,453	46%
260	Shepherd UniversityShepherdstown, WV · public	$33,587	$37,529	$54,880	$29,500	88%
261	Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia, PA · public	$33,573	$34,408	$41,585	$33,280	99%
262	Aquinas CollegeGrand Rapids, MI · private nonprofit	$33,555	$34,874	Not reported	$31,000	92%
263	Thomas Aquinas CollegeSanta Paula, CA · private nonprofit	$33,432	Not adjusted	$49,029	$18,000	54%
264	Indiana StateTerre Haute, IN · public	$33,414	$35,802	Not reported	$28,750	86%
265	CSUNNorthridge, CA · public	$33,324	$30,098	$56,781	$15,000	45%
266	Purdue NorthwestHammond, IN · public	$33,295	$35,675	$45,332	$29,517	89%
267	University of South CarolinaColumbia, SC · public	$33,245	$35,462	$41,776	$26,000	78%
268	Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana, PA · public	$33,174	$34,000	Not reported	$31,000	93%
269	Benedict CollegeColumbia, SC · private nonprofit	$33,120	Not adjusted	$41,133	Not reported	Not reported
270	Missouri StateSpringfield, MO · public	$33,014	$36,352	Not reported	$28,371	86%
271	Centenary UniversityHackettstown, NJ · private nonprofit	$32,988	Not adjusted	Not reported	$27,000	82%
272	John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs, AR · private nonprofit	$32,974	Not adjusted	Not reported	$26,772	81%
273	West Virginia University at ParkersburgParkersburg, WV · public	$32,909	$36,771	$43,227	$18,557	56%
274	Frostburg StateFrostburg, MD · public	$32,889	$31,335	$46,364	$28,750	87%
275	Henderson StateArkadelphia, AR · public	$32,875	$37,815	$38,316	$25,500	78%
276	Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA · public	$32,688	$37,058	$47,139	$31,000	95%
277	Providence Christian CollegePasadena, CA · private nonprofit	$32,598	$29,442	$37,025	$25,000	77%
278	William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ · public	$32,581	$29,944	$55,634	$26,750	82%
279	Concord UniversityAthens, WV · public	$32,499	$36,313	$37,562	$24,326	75%
280	East Tennessee StateJohnson City, TN · public	$32,474	$35,348	$41,482	$25,000	77%
281	LSU AlexandriaAlexandria, LA · public	$32,463	$36,803	$43,015	$26,000	80%
282	Arlington Baptist UniversityArlington, TX · private nonprofit	$32,360	$33,341	Not reported	$31,000	96%
283	Marshall UniversityHuntington, WV · public	$32,282	$36,070	$37,919	$29,248	91%
284	San Francisco StateSan Francisco, CA · public	$32,112	$29,003	$61,526	$15,467	48%
285	Buffalo StateBuffalo, NY · public	$32,082	$29,727	$41,463	$27,000	84%
285	Idaho StatePocatello, ID · public	$32,082	$33,596	$37,349	$37,323	116%
287	Mississippi University for WomenColumbus, MS · public	$31,811	Not adjusted	$37,153	$29,673	93%
288	Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg, PA · public	$31,805	$32,596	$34,532	Not reported	Not reported
289	Cal State Long BeachLong Beach, CA · public	$31,802	$28,723	$52,433	$15,500	49%
290	Northeastern StateTahlequah, OK · public	$31,794	$36,194	$44,083	$30,582	96%
291	Bethel University (Indiana)Mishawaka, IN · private nonprofit	$31,754	Not adjusted	$55,228	$25,000	79%
292	Illinois StateNormal, IL · public	$31,745	$31,758	$44,962	$23,621	74%
293	Framingham StateFramingham, MA · public	$31,613	$29,892	$53,727	$23,250	74%
294	New Mexico StateLas Cruces, NM · public	$31,568	$34,234	$45,935	$24,656	78%
295	Juniata CollegeHuntingdon, PA · private nonprofit	$31,548	Not adjusted	Not reported	$26,857	85%
296	Youngstown StateYoungstown, OH · public	$31,492	$33,945	$43,902	$31,000	98%
297	University of New MexicoAlbuquerque, NM · public	$31,428	$34,082	$46,977	$23,125	74%
298	UL LafayetteLafayette, LA · public	$31,419	$35,620	$41,481	$27,000	86%
299	Williams Baptist UniversityWalnut Ridge, AR · private nonprofit	$31,309	Not adjusted	Not reported	$18,933	60%
300	UNC GreensboroGreensboro, NC · public	$31,245	$33,124	$46,623	$25,898	83%
301	Providence CollegeProvidence, RI · private nonprofit	$31,117	Not adjusted	$65,375	Not reported	Not reported
302	Utah StateLogan, UT · public	$31,049	$31,406	$49,791	$20,917	67%
303	Jacksonville StateJacksonville, AL · public	$30,939	$34,832	$43,553	$27,546	89%
304	Michigan StateEast Lansing, MI · public	$30,916	$32,132	$46,687	$27,312	88%
305	Southern Arkansas UniversityMagnolia, AR · public	$30,901	$35,544	Not reported	$28,228	91%
306	Cal State LALos Angeles, CA · public	$30,824	$27,840	$47,969	$15,171	49%
307	Oakwood UniversityHuntsville, AL · private nonprofit	$30,724	Not adjusted	Not reported	$51,250	167%
308	University of WashingtonSeattle, WA · public	$30,437	$28,442	$38,699	$16,323	54%
309	Cal State Monterey BaySeaside, CA · public	$30,413	$27,468	$54,702	$13,750	45%
310	NC A&TGreensboro, NC · public	$30,397	$32,225	$42,025	$31,000	102%
311	Montana StateBozeman, MT · public	$30,380	$32,099	$44,105	$27,036	89%
312	SUNY PlattsburghPlattsburgh, NY · public	$30,318	$28,093	$42,559	$26,500	87%
313	Sacramento StateSacramento, CA · public	$30,286	$27,354	$55,823	$15,000	50%
314	Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester, NY · private nonprofit	$30,102	$27,893	Not reported	$23,236	77%
315	Morehead StateMorehead, KY · public	$30,055	$33,336	$39,857	$28,902	96%
316	Montana State University BillingsBillings, MT · public	$29,832	$31,520	$58,448	$39,800	133%
317	BYU-IdahoRexburg, ID · private nonprofit	$29,803	Not adjusted	$37,846	$10,731	36%
318	University of Southern MainePortland, ME · public	$29,716	Not adjusted	$44,622	$25,000	84%
319	FAUBoca Raton, FL · public	$29,605	$28,628	$47,864	$19,453	66%
320	UH West OahuKapolei, HI · public	$29,588	$26,910	Not reported	$18,952	64%
321	North Greenville UniversityTigerville, SC · private nonprofit	$29,506	$31,473	$36,971	$25,500	86%
322	University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney, NE · public	$29,471	$32,708	$44,063	$20,675	70%
323	Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL · public	$29,426	$29,438	$50,679	$30,839	105%
324	Cal State San MarcosSan Marcos, CA · public	$29,341	$26,500	$55,289	$15,125	52%
325	Stanislaus StateTurlock, CA · public	$29,148	$26,326	$58,883	$13,775	47%
326	Drew UniversityMadison, NJ · private nonprofit	$28,961	$26,617	$57,346	$27,000	93%
327	Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL · private nonprofit	$28,890	$27,936	$52,599	$31,000	107%
328	Alabama A&M UniversityNormal, AL · public	$28,877	Not adjusted	$46,627	$33,000	114%
329	Bowling Green StateBowling Green, OH · public	$28,620	$30,849	$41,972	$31,000	108%
330	North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC · public	$28,522	$30,238	Not reported	$29,000	102%
331	TCUFort Worth, TX · private nonprofit	$28,328	$29,187	$54,366	$27,000	95%
332	Cal State Channel IslandsCamarillo, CA · public	$28,324	$25,582	$50,286	$18,000	64%
333	Western Connecticut StateDanbury, CT · public	$27,784	$26,816	Not reported	$26,782	96%
334	The New SchoolNew York, NY · private nonprofit	$27,701	$25,668	$41,609	$26,750	97%
335	Harding UniversitySearcy, AR · private nonprofit	$27,686	Not adjusted	$48,709	$26,909	97%
336	Cal Poly HumboldtArcata, CA · public	$27,303	$24,660	$38,082	$16,000	59%
337	Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC · public	$27,221	$29,036	$43,704	$27,250	100%
338	Chico StateChico, CA · public	$27,196	$24,563	$55,139	$17,500	64%
339	SUNY Old WestburyOld Westbury, NY · public	$27,165	$25,171	Not reported	$24,833	91%
340	University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith, AR · public	$26,728	$30,744	$42,814	$28,187	105%
341	New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas, NM · public	$26,461	$28,696	Not reported	$28,606	108%
342	Evergreen State CollegeOlympia, WA · public	$26,328	$24,603	$41,864	$21,354	81%
343	Alcorn StateAlcorn State, MS · public	$26,269	$30,211	Not reported	$39,250	149%
344	College of Staten IslandStaten Island, NY · public	$25,967	$24,061	$67,334	$13,995	54%
345	University of La VerneLa Verne, CA · private nonprofit	$25,945	$23,433	$54,973	$23,500	91%
346	Northwest Nazarene UniversityNampa, ID · private nonprofit	$25,923	$27,146	Not reported	$27,000	104%
347	Sarah Lawrence CollegeBronxville, NY · private nonprofit	$25,846	Not adjusted	$42,672	$24,245	94%
348	Southern University at New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · public	$25,777	$29,223	Not reported	$55,541	215%
349	Bluefield StateBluefield, WV · public	$25,677	$28,690	Not reported	$28,655	112%
350	Pace UniversityNew York, NY · private nonprofit	$25,595	$23,716	Not reported	$25,229	99%
351	Bethune-Cookman UniversityDaytona Beach, FL · private nonprofit	$25,459	$24,619	$38,111	$31,000	122%
352	Valdosta StateValdosta, GA · public	$25,441	$26,420	$44,444	$31,000	122%
353	Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA · private nonprofit	$25,436	Not adjusted	$75,378	$25,000	98%
354	Fresno StateFresno, CA · public	$25,349	$22,895	$54,909	$13,662	54%
355	St. John's College (Maryland)Annapolis, MD · private nonprofit	$25,307	Not adjusted	$35,444	$27,000	107%
356	Lander UniversityGreenwood, SC · public	$25,204	$26,885	$39,448	$27,125	108%
357	SUNY Purchase CollegePurchase, NY · public	$25,197	$23,348	$44,688	$25,000	99%
358	Cal Poly PomonaPomona, CA · public	$25,168	$22,731	$49,335	$13,750	55%
359	Wayne StateDetroit, MI · public	$25,046	$26,031	$63,192	$18,028	72%
360	Cal State San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA · public	$24,979	$22,561	$55,231	$14,295	57%
361	LSUBaton Rouge, LA · public	$24,879	$28,205	$47,289	$19,575	79%
362	University of AkronAkron, OH · public	$24,851	$26,787	$57,605	$31,044	125%
363	Cal State FullertonFullerton, CA · public	$24,706	$22,314	$52,783	$13,535	55%
364	Glenville StateGlenville, WV · public	$24,636	Not adjusted	$27,640	$28,799	117%
365	Southern Nazarene UniversityBethany, OK · private nonprofit	$23,445	Not adjusted	Not reported	$30,754	131%
366	Allen UniversityColumbia, SC · private nonprofit	$23,371	Not adjusted	Not reported	$39,525	169%
367	Cumberland UniversityLebanon, TN · private nonprofit	$23,264	Not adjusted	Not reported	$28,476	122%
368	Portland StatePortland, OR · public	$23,253	$22,497	$43,029	$30,250	130%
369	UC RiversideRiverside, CA · public	$23,203	$20,956	$61,690	$16,436	71%
370	San Diego StateSan Diego, CA · public	$23,190	$20,945	$58,202	$12,496	54%
371	Fort Valley StateFort Valley, GA · public	$23,157	Not adjusted	Not reported	$39,693	171%
372	St. John's College (New Mexico)Santa Fe, NM · private nonprofit	$23,029	Not adjusted	$27,988	$27,000	117%
373	Concordia University-IrvineIrvine, CA · private nonprofit	$22,652	Not adjusted	$47,713	$26,000	115%
374	Bryn Mawr CollegeBryn Mawr, PA · private nonprofit	$22,335	Not adjusted	$49,828	$23,069	103%
375	University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · public	$22,239	$24,666	$43,109	$27,001	121%
376	Montclair StateMontclair, NJ · public	$22,201	$20,404	$54,979	$25,967	117%
377	UNC AshevilleAsheville, NC · public	$22,144	Not adjusted	$40,419	$18,743	85%
378	Southern Virginia UniversityBuena Vista, VA · private nonprofit	$22,024	Not adjusted	$40,640	$18,500	84%
379	Francis Marion UniversityFlorence, SC · public	$21,838	$23,294	$36,408	$41,475	190%
380	Livingstone CollegeSalisbury, NC · private nonprofit	$21,640	$22,942	$31,627	$35,225	163%
381	Lincoln University (Missouri)Jefferson City, MO · public	$21,282	Not adjusted	$36,205	$43,382	204%
382	Baruch CollegeNew York, NY · public	$21,170	$19,616	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
383	Appalachian StateBoone, NC · public	$21,143	$22,415	Not reported	$24,977	118%
384	Hampshire CollegeAmherst, MA · private nonprofit	$21,113	Not adjusted	$32,405	$26,500	126%
385	New College of FloridaSarasota, FL · public	$20,395	$19,722	$42,117	$15,314	75%
386	UH ManoaHonolulu, HI · public	$20,074	$18,257	$50,888	$23,877	119%
387	Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-PoncePonce, PR · private nonprofit	$19,848	Not adjusted	$28,596	$19,040	96%
388	Soka University of AmericaAliso Viejo, CA · private nonprofit	$19,776	$17,861	$49,249	$18,750	95%
389	The Master's UniversitySanta Clarita, CA · private nonprofit	$18,621	Not adjusted	$47,179	$14,750	79%

Pay after cost of living divides first-year pay by the Bureau of Economic Analysis price level of the school's state, where the US average is 100. It is shown for 317 programs where at least half of the graduates who work are working in the school's state. The other 72, whose graduates mostly work in other states or whose state has no price level, are listed last when you sort by it.

8 programs report pay but not debt, so they are ranked only by pay.

College Scorecard withholds pay for programs with too few graduates, to protect their privacy, so those programs can't be ranked. 6 more programs report pay but aren't listed, because College Scorecard's school file doesn't name their schools. The national medians above still count them.

Liberal Arts and General Studies (Bachelor's) programs by state

Each row is the median across the state's liberal arts and general studies bachelor's programs. State names link to the full ranking of that state's programs.

#	State	Programs	Year 1 pay	Debt
1	Wisconsin	7	$43,714	$29,000
2	Connecticut	8	$42,807	$25,373
3	Illinois	11	$42,107	$29,109
4	Virginia	11	$41,398	$25,375
5	Kansas	6	$41,219	$26,573
6	Ohio	11	$40,431	$29,832
7	Iowa	6	$40,400	$26,700
8	Massachusetts	12	$39,141	$26,500
9	Texas	25	$38,829	$26,875
10	New Jersey	12	$38,032	$26,750
11	Michigan	12	$37,904	$30,255
12	Oklahoma	11	$37,786	$26,595
13	Missouri	12	$37,589	$28,763
14	Tennessee	10	$37,437	$28,979
15	Maine	5	$36,809	$25,000
16	Mississippi	6	$36,746	$29,250
17	Maryland	6	$36,337	$28,000
18	Indiana	18	$35,853	$27,000
19	New York	22	$35,817	$24,917
20	Washington	5	$35,398	$22,881
21	Florida	11	$35,361	$25,571
22	Kentucky	8	$35,025	$28,902
23	Georgia	5	$34,576	$39,693
24	West Virginia	11	$33,587	$28,799
25	Pennsylvania	11	$33,573	$27,750
26	Arkansas	10	$32,925	$26,955
27	Louisiana	9	$32,688	$27,000
28	North Carolina	12	$32,546	$28,524
29	Idaho	5	$32,082	$26,698
30	New Mexico	5	$31,428	$24,656
31	Alabama	5	$30,939	$29,750
32	California	34	$30,619	$16,468
33	South Carolina	8	$28,364	$27,188

Programs in 17 more states and territories report pay, but too few to rank. A state ranking needs at least five programs that report both pay and debt.

Quick picks nationwide

Lowest median debt

American Public University System, WV$6,265
BYU-Idaho, ID$10,731
Excelsior University, NY$11,875
MIT, MA$11,935
San Diego State, CA$12,496
City College of New York, NY$12,985
UNC Chapel Hill, NC$13,000
Cal State Fullerton, CA$13,535
Fresno State, CA$13,662
Cal State Monterey Bay, CA$13,750

Lowest debt for the pay

American Public University System, WV10%
MIT, MA12%
Excelsior University, NY23%
Yale University, CT26%
City College of New York, NY30%
UCF, FL31%
Endicott College, MA34%
UNC Chapel Hill, NC34%
Bentley University, MA36%
BYU-Idaho, ID36%

Only the 344 programs with their own page here are included. "Debt for the pay" is median debt divided by first-year pay.

Common questions

The median liberal arts and general studies bachelor's program in the US pays its graduates $36,157 in their first year and $48,575 five years after.

Liberal Arts and General Studies (Associate's) programs in the US, ranked728 programs by pay and debt Liberal Arts and General Studies (Certificate) programs in the US, ranked65 programs by pay and debt

About this data

Earnings and debt only include students who received federal financial aid, and earnings only count graduates who were working and not enrolled in more school.
Debt only includes federal loans. Private loans and credit cards are not counted.
Medians are across programs, not students: each program counts once, however many graduates it has.
National medians include every program in the 50 states, DC, and US territories, including schools that have since closed. Schools with several campuses that report one combined figure are counted once.
Programs are ranked by College Scorecard median pay one year after graduation. Pay after cost of living uses the price level of the school's state.
Scorecard figures describe graduating classes from several years ago. BLS wages are from May 2025. Price levels are the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities for 2024.

Sources

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field of study and institution files, June 2026 release
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035
NCES, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk
Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, 2024