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

A $27,000 debt load against estimated first-year earnings of $36,340 isn't an alarming ratio, but the national averages this estimate draws from mask significant variation in what liberal arts graduates actually earn. Nebraska's stronger programs show this spread clearly: the University of Nebraska at Omaha reports graduates earning nearly $41,000, while Kearney sits below $30,000. Where Hastings falls in that range matters enormously for debt repayment—the difference between manageable monthly payments and financial stress.

The challenge with a general liberal arts degree is that outcomes depend heavily on what students do with it. Similar programs nationally produce the $36,340 figure used here, but that average includes graduates heading into teaching, nonprofit work, corporate training, and everything in between. Without Hastings-specific data, you're betting that their career services, alumni network, and regional employer connections will position your child closer to the higher end of that range. Given Nebraska's relatively affordable cost of living, even mid-range earnings can work—but $27,000 in debt requires a clear employment plan, not just a diploma.

Ask Hastings directly about first-destination outcomes for recent graduates: who's hiring them, what they're earning, and how long the job search typically takes. The estimated numbers suggest a workable investment, but only if your child can articulate what they'll do with this degree beyond simply earning it.