Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Indiana University-Bloomington

Indiana University-Bloomington's liberal arts program sits squarely in the middle of the pack—both nationally (47th percentile) and within Indiana (40th percentile). Graduates earn $35,775 initially, climbing to $43,297 by year four, which tracks closely with state and national medians. The debt load of $22,842 is actually lower than typical for this degree, resulting in a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio. This means graduates owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary, which is reasonable compared to many programs.

The challenge is that IU-Bloomington carries the cachet and price tag of a flagship state university while delivering outcomes that don't distinguish themselves from smaller Indiana schools. Notre Dame graduates from this program earn 27% more right out of the gate, and even regional competitors like University of Indianapolis outpace IU by nearly $8,000. For in-state students paying resident tuition, this represents a solid, affordable option. For out-of-state families paying premium prices, the return on investment becomes harder to justify when earnings fall below the state median.

The 21% earnings growth suggests graduates do find their footing professionally, but they're starting from a modest baseline. If your child is paying in-state rates and values the flagship experience, this works. If they're borrowing heavily or paying out-of-state tuition, have a frank conversation about whether this particular major justifies the cost.