Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Benedictine College

Is a liberal arts degree worth $29,000 in debt when similar Kansas programs suggest first-year earnings around $41,000? The 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio falls in reasonable territory—you'd need about 70% of a year's income to cover the debt—but that's assuming Benedictine's graduates track with the six other Kansas programs used to derive this estimate. Given that most Kansas liberal arts programs with reported data cluster tightly between $38,000 and $43,000, the estimate seems plausible, though it's worth noting we're working with a small reference group.

The debt figure of $29,000 sits slightly above both the Kansas median ($26,573) and national median ($27,000) for this field, which matters for a program where earnings aren't particularly high. At comparable Kansas schools with actual data—like Baker or Friends—graduates earn similar amounts, suggesting the liberal arts degree functions more as a credential than a differentiator. With 76% of applicants admitted and only 16% receiving Pell grants, Benedictine serves a relatively advantaged student body, which may help with post-graduation outcomes beyond what earnings alone capture.

The practical question is whether your student needs this specific environment, because they'll likely land in the same earnings range at Kansas's public universities while potentially borrowing less. If Benedictine's Catholic, residential character is essential, the estimated numbers suggest manageable—though not impressive—financial returns.