Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Hannibal-LaGrange University

Hannibal-LaGrange's Liberal Arts program appears to align closely with state norms, with estimated first-year earnings around $37,600 and debt near $30,000—figures drawn from comparable programs in Missouri. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80 suggests graduates would dedicate roughly 80% of their first year's salary to paying off loans if they went all-in, which is manageable compared to programs where debt exceeds annual income. However, the limited sample size that prompted these estimates raises an important question: are graduates finding employment in their field, or does the small cohort reflect challenges in program outcomes?

The gap between Hannibal-LaGrange and Missouri's top performers is substantial. Similar programs at William Jewell College and Saint Louis University produce first-year earnings $10,000 to $13,000 higher, suggesting that institutional reputation and alumni networks matter significantly in liberal arts fields where the major itself doesn't lead to a clear career path. With nearly a third of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters here, but the estimated $30,000 debt load still requires careful planning.

For families considering this program, the modest cost relative to earnings is a plus, but the uncertainty around actual outcomes is real. Liberal arts degrees depend heavily on what students do with them—internships, networking, graduate school plans—so choosing a school where you'll have strong support and connections becomes even more critical when the baseline earnings are this compressed across the state.