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

A $27,000 debt load against first-year earnings that peer liberal arts programs typically produce—around $36,340—creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74, though that's where the reassurance ends for this program. College of Saint Mary's estimated figures align with national medians for general studies degrees, but Nebraska comparisons reveal significant variation: the University of Nebraska-Omaha's graduates earn $40,892 in their first year, suggesting that location and institutional network matter considerably in this broad field.

The challenge with general studies degrees is that outcomes depend heavily on what students do with them—whether they leverage the credential for specific career paths, graduate school, or career changes. Based on similar programs nationally, graduates can expect to carry debt equal to about nine months of their first-year salary, which is workable but leaves little margin if career launch takes longer than expected. The state median debt of $23,492 suggests some Nebraska programs manage to keep costs lower, worth investigating.

For parents, this means understanding what their student plans to do with this degree before enrollment. The estimated financial picture isn't alarming, but it's also not compelling without a clear post-graduation strategy. If your child knows exactly how they'll use this broad credential—teacher certification, nonprofit work, graduate school preparation—the moderate debt becomes more defensible. Without that clarity, paying private school tuition for a general studies degree that performs at national averages deserves serious consideration of more affordable alternatives.