Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Eastern Washington University

Similar programs across Washington suggest a Liberal Arts bachelor's typically launches graduates into the mid-$30,000s, and Eastern Washington's estimated outcomes align closely with that state pattern. The projected $16,300 in debt sits well below both the state median ($22,881) and national median ($27,000) for this degree, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46—meaning roughly half a year's salary to repay what you borrowed. For context, Washington's top-performing Liberal Arts programs report first-year earnings in the $40,000-$46,000 range, showing there's meaningful variation across schools.

The relatively modest debt load matters here. While the estimated earnings aren't remarkable, borrowing $16,000 instead of $27,000 fundamentally changes the financial pressure on a new graduate. With 35% of Eastern Washington's students receiving Pell grants, keeping debt accessible appears to be part of the institutional mission. The challenge remains that Liberal Arts degrees, broadly defined, tend to produce moderate early earnings regardless of where you earn them—the national median sits at just $36,340.

For parents, the key question is whether your student has specific career plans that will translate this generalist degree into higher earnings potential. The estimated figures suggest Eastern Washington keeps costs reasonable, but they can't tell you whether *this particular program* prepares students better or worse than peer schools. If your student is certain about this path, the controlled debt picture provides some cushion while they build their career.