Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Cal Poly Humboldt's Liberal Arts program produces surprisingly modest outcomes despite serving a high-need student population—46% receive Pell grants—in a relatively affordable package. First-year graduates earn just $27,303, ranking in the 14th percentile nationally and 40th within California, where the state median is $31,802. While the $16,000 median debt is below California's typical $17,500 for this major, it's actually high relative to those starting earnings, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59. Students here are borrowing nearly as much as graduates who earn $10,000 more at other California programs.

The 25% earnings growth to $34,209 by year four offers some relief, but even that improved figure trails the national median of $36,340 and falls far short of what top California programs deliver—National University graduates in this field earn $57,429. The moderate sample size suggests stable data, and the 99% admission rate indicates accessibility, but accessibility doesn't guarantee value when starting salaries barely exceed $27,000.

For families seeking an affordable humanities degree, the manageable debt load is the primary advantage here. However, with earnings this far below both state and national benchmarks, you'll want your child to have a clear plan for graduate school or a specific career path that justifies the initial earnings gap.