Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Ball State University

Ball State's liberal arts program lands squarely in the middle of what you'd expect—but that middle ground comes with real limitations for Indiana families. Graduates earn less than the state median for this major, placing them in just the 40th percentile among Indiana schools. That's notably behind private alternatives like Indiana Wesleyan ($43,763) and even IU Indianapolis ($41,499), though the admission profile suggests Ball State serves a different population.

The financial picture is manageable but uninspiring. A $26,965 debt load paired with $35,269 in first-year earnings creates a ratio of 0.76—workable but requiring careful budgeting. Earnings do grow 20% over four years to $42,167, which helps, but that still trails what graduates from stronger programs in the state achieve right out of the gate. For a broad liberal arts degree, where career paths vary widely, these middling numbers mean your child will need either strong networking, additional credentials, or clear career direction to maximize the degree's value.

If your child is drawn to Ball State for campus culture or specific programs within liberal arts, the debt level won't sink them. But families comparing options across Indiana should recognize they're paying for a credential that performs below the state average—and if career outcomes matter most, the numbers suggest looking at either higher-performing public options or considering whether a more targeted major might deliver better returns.