Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Harris-Stowe State University

A Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts with debt at $27,739 isn't wildly out of line with national norms—most comparable programs nationally carry about $27,000. But with first-year earnings estimated around $37,589 based on peer programs in Missouri, the 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates face manageable but meaningful loan obligations right out of the gate. That debt represents about nine months of gross income, which is workable if employment is steady but leaves little room for error.

What's harder to assess is how Harris-Stowe's predominantly Pell-eligible student body (73%) fares compared to higher-earning Liberal Arts programs elsewhere in Missouri. The top-performing schools in the state—William Jewell, Saint Louis University—see first-year earnings exceeding $48,000, while similar programs statewide typically produce the $37,600 range Harris-Stowe's estimates reflect. The question becomes whether this program offers the career advising, internship networks, and alumni connections that help Liberal Arts graduates land more competitive positions, or whether outcomes cluster at the lower end of that spectrum.

For families weighing this investment, the core tension is straightforward: Liberal Arts degrees are versatile but not vocational, and their value depends heavily on what students do with them. If your child has a clear plan—graduate school, teaching certification, a specific career path—the debt load is reasonable. Without that direction, you're banking on estimated outcomes from programs that themselves show wide variation in what graduates actually earn.