Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Heritage University

The estimated debt load here—$33,410 for a Liberal Arts degree—sits uncomfortably close to projected first-year earnings of $35,398, creating a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio. While these figures come from similar Washington programs rather than Heritage's own graduates, they highlight a pattern worth examining. The estimated debt exceeds the state median for this degree by roughly $10,500, suggesting Heritage students may be borrowing more than peers at comparable institutions. With 63% of students receiving Pell grants, this higher debt burden falls on families least equipped to absorb it.

The earnings picture offers modest relief: comparable Liberal Arts programs in Washington produce first-year salaries around $35,400, nearly matching national benchmarks. This suggests graduates enter a reasonably stable job market, though certainly not a lucrative one. Top-performing programs in the state—Antioch Seattle and Whitworth—report outcomes in the mid-$40,000s, demonstrating that stronger earning trajectories exist for those who can access them.

For families considering Heritage, the fundamental question is whether near-equal debt and earnings makes sense when their student could potentially pursue the same degree elsewhere in Washington with less borrowing. The program isn't failing graduates—earnings align with state norms—but the debt estimate suggests caution. If Heritage offers unique access or support that matters for your student, understand you're likely accepting higher upfront costs for what comparable programs deliver at lower debt levels.