Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at California Baptist University

California Baptist's Liberal Arts program sits in an interesting position—its graduates earn below the national median initially but outpace most California peers from the start. That 60th percentile ranking among California programs matters more than the 36th percentile nationally, since most families will be comparing to nearby alternatives where the state median is just $31,802.

The debt picture requires attention: at $28,587, it's higher than both state and national medians, though the 0.85 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable. More encouraging is the earnings trajectory—34% growth over four years suggests graduates develop valuable skills that employers increasingly reward. By year four, they're earning $45,432, closing the gap with national averages while maintaining their advantage over typical California programs.

For families weighing this against other California options, CBU offers solid mid-tier performance. You're paying more in debt than at many California schools ($17,500 state median), but graduates are earning more than 60% of their peers. This isn't the bargain some state schools might offer, nor is it approaching elite California programs earning $50,000+. It's a reasonable path for students seeking this degree who value CBU's environment, but families should compare carefully against public alternatives where lower debt might offset the earnings difference.