Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Bryn Mawr College

The numbers here demand a serious conversation: Bryn Mawr graduates with this degree earn $22,335 in their first year—barely half what typical liberal arts graduates make nationally, and well below the Pennsylvania median of $34,190. That's 10th percentile performance among Pennsylvania programs, meaning 90% of comparable programs in the state produce better early earnings. While the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift dramatically year to year, the gap is too large to dismiss as statistical noise alone.

The earnings trajectory offers some hope—median pay climbs 56% to reach $34,758 by year four, nearly matching state averages. But that still lags the national median and means spending several years earning substantially less than peers from similar programs. The $23,069 debt load is lower than typical for this major, which helps cushion the blow, but you're still looking at owing more than an entire year's starting salary.

For a selective school (31% admission rate, 1404 SAT average) that primarily serves students from higher-income families, these outcomes raise questions about career preparation and alumni networks. If you're considering this program, understand you're likely accepting years of below-market earnings after graduation—perhaps worthwhile for the Bryn Mawr experience and long-term network, but only if your family can absorb that financial reality without strain.