Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Huston-Tillotson University

Estimates from similar Texas liberal arts programs suggest first-year earnings around $38,800 with debt near $27,400—numbers that land right at state and national medians for this broad field. That 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable by conventional standards, meaning graduates would owe roughly 70 cents for every dollar earned in year one. For context, comparable programs across Texas show wide variation, with some producing graduates earning $53,000 while others cluster closer to $40,000.

The challenge here isn't the debt load itself but what liberal arts degrees typically deliver in Austin's job market. With 62% of students receiving Pell grants, most families at Huston-Tillotson are counting on this credential to meaningfully change their child's economic trajectory. General studies programs can open doors, but they often require graduates to build specific skills through internships, minor concentrations, or early career strategic choices to reach the higher end of that earning range.

The practical question: can your child leverage Austin's robust job market—tech, education, nonprofit, state government—to beat that $38,800 baseline? If they're already connecting with employers, building marketable competencies beyond the degree itself, and targeting growth sectors, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable financial footing. If they're treating this as a four-year exploration without career planning, you're likely looking at the lower end of outcomes in a field where the credential alone doesn't guarantee much differentiation.