Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Averett University

Is a general liberal arts degree worth $26,000 in debt when similar Virginia programs suggest first-year earnings around $41,400? Based on peer programs across the state, this represents a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63—relatively manageable compared to many bachelor's degrees, though graduates should expect to devote roughly 63% of their first year's salary to loan repayment. These estimated figures put Averett roughly in line with the state median, but well behind stronger Virginia programs like James Madison ($49,400) or Bridgewater College ($46,800) that demonstrate liberal arts graduates can command significantly higher starting salaries.

The bigger question is trajectory. Liberal arts degrees typically gain value over time as graduates apply broad skills across different careers, but that first year at an estimated $41,400 means a slower start than more specialized programs. With nearly 40% of Averett students receiving Pell grants, many families here are weighing affordability carefully. The debt load is moderate, but without knowing this specific program's actual outcomes—whether graduates are landing jobs that leverage their education or struggling to find footing—there's genuine uncertainty about whether Averett delivers comparable value to other Virginia liberal arts programs.

The practical takeaway: these estimates suggest a workable but unspectacular financial picture. If your child is set on liberal arts at Averett, connect with recent alumni directly to understand where graduates actually land and what doors the degree opens, since the peer program data only tells you what's typical for Virginia, not what's happening for this particular program.