Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Augustana College

Based on peer programs in Illinois, a liberal arts degree here appears to land right at the state median—around $42,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $31,000 in debt. That 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio is workable, though it means graduates could be dedicating close to a year's salary to paying down loans if they tackle them aggressively.

What's harder to assess is where Augustana fits within Illinois's wide range of liberal arts outcomes. The state's top programs show earnings spanning from $43,000 to over $84,000, and without actual graduate data from this school, it's difficult to know whether Augustana's selectivity (68% admission rate, 1133 average SAT) and 22% Pell population position it closer to the middle of that pack or elsewhere. Similar programs across Illinois suggest moderate financial outcomes, but that's an average across institutions with very different student bodies and networks.

The debt load estimated here is slightly above the national median for liberal arts degrees, while projected earnings match Illinois norms but exceed the national figure by about $6,000. For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether Augustana's specific environment—its faculty, alumni network, and campus culture—justifies taking on debt based on estimates rather than the school's proven track record with graduates in this major.