Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at Denison University

A $27,000 debt load for a bachelor's degree that puts you around $39,000 in first-year earnings creates a challenging financial start, particularly when other legal studies programs in Ohio report significantly stronger outcomes. Ohio State's graduates in this field, for instance, earn over $51,000—a gap of $12,000 that compounds year after year in career trajectory and financial flexibility.

What makes this estimate especially concerning for Denison is the school's profile. With a 17% admission rate and average SAT of 1395, this is a highly selective institution charging premium tuition. Yet based on what peer programs produce nationally, graduates appear to land in entry-level positions that don't require the credential or selectivity Denison represents. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 means nearly three-quarters of a year's gross salary goes toward loans—manageable on paper but tight in practice when you're earning under $40,000 in an expensive job market.

The lack of reported data here signals a small program, which could mean limited career services infrastructure or alumni networks specific to this field. For a family considering Denison's substantial investment, it's worth asking directly: Where do graduates of this specific program actually land, and what support exists to close the gap between these estimated outcomes and Ohio's demonstrated $51,000 median? Without concrete answers to those questions, this represents a significant financial gamble.