Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Brigham Young University-Idaho

BYU-Idaho's Liberal Arts program stands out for one compelling reason: extraordinarily low debt. With median debt of just $10,731, graduates carry roughly 60% less debt than the typical Idaho student in this field and far less than the national average of $27,000. This puts the program in the 95th percentile nationally for low debt—a significant advantage that changes the financial calculus entirely.

However, the earnings picture is more challenging. At $29,803 in the first year, graduates earn about $2,300 less than the Idaho median and $6,500 below the national average, placing this program in just the 20th percentile nationally. Among Idaho's seven liberal arts programs, BYU-Idaho ranks in the middle at the 40th percentile, trailing schools like Lewis-Clark State and University of Idaho by $3,000-9,000 annually. The minimal earnings growth over four years suggests limited income progression potential.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 is remarkably favorable—among the best you'll find for liberal arts programs anywhere. For families prioritizing affordability and minimal debt burden, this program delivers genuine value. The tradeoff is clear: lower starting salaries in exchange for financial freedom after graduation. If your student plans to pursue graduate school or values graduating debt-light over maximizing immediate earnings, BYU-Idaho's approach makes financial sense.