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

Baker University's liberal arts program outperforms most similar programs nationally but sits near the middle of the Kansas pack—and that in-state comparison matters most for families weighing nearby options. While the $40,704 starting salary ranks in the 71st percentile nationally, it falls below the Kansas median of $41,219, landing this program at the 40th percentile statewide. Fort Hays State, University of Kansas, and Friends University all deliver higher earnings at similar or lower debt levels, making them worth serious consideration if location flexibility exists.

The $27,000 debt load is manageable at a 0.66 ratio to first-year earnings, meeting the standard affordability threshold. However, earnings slip slightly to $39,818 by year four rather than growing, which is atypical and may reflect the generalist nature of the degree—graduates might need additional credentialing or experience to advance. With 100+ graduates in the dataset, this pattern is reliable, not a statistical fluke.

For families committed to Baker's campus experience or faith-based environment, this program won't saddle students with crushing debt. But if maximizing liberal arts earnings is the priority, the state's flagship or Fort Hays State deliver stronger returns for comparable investment. The open access (92% admission rate) means students have options here if other schools don't work out, but it shouldn't be the default choice for Kansas families shopping on value alone.