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

In Missouri, liberal arts bachelor's degrees vary dramatically—the top programs produce first-year earnings around $50,000, while others lag well behind. Based on comparable programs in the state, Avila's graduates likely earn around $37,600 their first year, squarely in the middle of Missouri's range but trailing the state's better-performing liberal arts programs by $10,000 or more. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on this degree to deliver financial mobility, making that gap consequential.

The estimated debt load of just under $30,000 aligns with typical borrowing for Missouri liberal arts programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80—within manageable territory if those earnings estimates hold. The challenge is that general liberal arts degrees are notoriously field-dependent when it comes to career outcomes, and small program sizes (which necessitate these estimates in the first place) can mean limited networking and career support infrastructure.

For families considering Avila, the question isn't whether this program can work—it's whether it can compete with Missouri's stronger liberal arts options. If Avila offers compelling financial aid, a supportive community for your student, or specialized mentorship that the data can't capture, those factors matter. But if you're choosing primarily on academic reputation or career outcomes, the state has programs with demonstrated track records of launching graduates into higher-earning positions.