Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Antioch University-Los Angeles

Antioch University-Los Angeles manages something rare in liberal arts: graduates earn substantially more than peers at nearly every other California institution. At $46,487 in the first year, earnings exceed the state median by 46% and rank in the 80th percentile among California's liberal arts programs. Nationally, this places graduates at the 95th percentile—ahead of 94% of comparable programs across the country. The $29,832 debt load is higher than California's typical $17,500 but remains manageable with a 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than eight months of their first-year salary.

The concerning pattern is what happens next: earnings drop to $44,094 by year four, a 5% decline that's unusual and worth understanding. This could reflect the career paths liberal arts graduates take—perhaps moving into graduate programs, nonprofits, or careers with delayed compensation growth. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means individual career choices can swing these numbers, but the initial earning power is real and substantially outperforms state expectations.

For families concerned about liberal arts economics, this program delivers stronger early outcomes than most alternatives in California. The debt is reasonable relative to earnings, and graduates start well ahead of their peers. Just recognize you're paying a premium compared to in-state public options, and the typical earnings trajectory doesn't show the growth parents often expect post-graduation.