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

Hampshire College's liberal arts program produces graduates earning just $21,113 in their first year—$15,000 below the Massachusetts median and ranking in the bottom 10th percentile statewide. Even compared to national liberal arts programs, which already tend toward lower earnings, Hampshire ranks in just the 5th percentile. With $26,500 in median debt, new graduates face more than a year's worth of earnings in student loans.

The program does show meaningful earnings growth, with graduates nearly doubling their income to $29,357 by year four—a 39% increase that outpaces many liberal arts programs. However, even after this growth, earnings remain well below what graduates from other Massachusetts liberal arts programs achieve in their first year. Worcester State University, a public option, produces first-year earnings of $44,000, while private alternatives like Endicott College reach $45,277.

For families considering Hampshire's hefty private school price tag, the financial returns simply don't justify the investment. The college's innovative, narrative-evaluation approach may appeal to certain students, but parents should understand they're paying premium tuition for bottom-tier earnings outcomes. Massachusetts offers numerous stronger alternatives for liberal arts education, both public and private, that provide significantly better financial prospects.