Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Colorado College

Colorado College's highly selective liberal arts program carries an estimated $27,000 in debt—matching the national median—while similar programs across Colorado suggest first-year earnings around $39,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 sits in reasonable territory, but there's a catch: you're potentially paying private school tuition for outcomes that mirror what in-state public universities deliver. Colorado Mesa graduates in comparable programs earn $42,000 right out of the gate, and they're likely carrying less debt doing it.

The 20% admission rate and 1445 average SAT signal Colorado College attracts high-achieving students who might command premium earnings regardless of their major. Yet the sparse reporting here (the Department of Education had to estimate both earnings and debt from peer institutions) makes it impossible to know whether this school's graduates actually outperform the state average or simply blend into it. For a family paying private college prices—likely $60,000+ per year before aid—that uncertainty matters considerably.

If substantial financial aid brings the actual debt close to this $27,000 estimate, the program becomes defensible as a foundation for graduate school or careers where the liberal arts credential opens doors. Without that aid discount, you're gambling that Colorado College's brand and network justify costs that appear disconnected from the earnings trajectory of similar programs statewide.