Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Bard College at Simon's Rock

Similar liberal arts programs in Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $39,000 with debt near $27,000—numbers that place this program squarely at the state median but slightly above national benchmarks. For a bachelor's degree at a college with a 97% admission rate, these peer-program figures paint a picture that's neither alarming nor impressive. The 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within reasonable bounds, meaning graduates from comparable programs could expect to manage repayment, though certainly not with ease.

What complicates the assessment here is the institutional uniqueness: Simon's Rock is specifically designed for students who want to start college early, often after 10th or 11th grade. The actual outcomes for this particular cohort of early-entrance students may differ substantially from traditional liberal arts programs in Massachusetts. Peer programs include everything from small private colleges to state universities with vastly different student populations and educational models.

The practical question becomes whether the educational experience justifies potential outcomes that mirror the state average rather than reaching toward the top performers in Massachusetts, where similar programs at institutions like Regis or Endicott show earnings 30-40% higher. If the early college model serves your family's specific needs, these estimated figures suggest the financial picture wouldn't be dramatically worse than typical liberal arts degrees in the state—but you're unlikely to see standout earnings returns either.