Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at College of Saint Benedict

Minnesota's liberal arts programs tell a story these estimated figures don't capture. Similar programs statewide typically produce first-year earnings around $52,930—nearly $16,000 above what comparable national programs suggest for College of Saint Benedict graduates. That gap matters when you're looking at $27,000 in debt, which would take a more manageable bite from a Minnesota-typical salary than from the national baseline used here.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 appears reasonable on paper, roughly tracking with what peer programs show nationally. But context changes everything: if this program performs closer to Minnesota's state median, that same debt becomes significantly easier to manage. Liberal arts degrees from Minnesota institutions range from the nearly $57,000 first-year earnings at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities down to mid-$40,000 ranges elsewhere, and where College of Saint Benedict falls within that spectrum determines whether this is a stretched budget or a solid foundation.

Given the school's 91% admission rate and the fact that only 19% of students receive Pell grants, College of Saint Benedict draws a relatively affluent student body. For families who can afford some financial cushion during the early career years when liberal arts graduates build toward higher earnings, the estimated debt level won't break the bank. But without actual outcomes data for this specific program, you're betting on Minnesota performance rather than knowing it.