Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Jackson State University

Jackson State graduates earn more than 60% of similar programs across Mississippi and outpace the national median by $5,500—a genuine accomplishment for a liberal arts degree at an HBCU serving predominantly working-class students. At $41,812 first-year, these earnings exceed even Ole Miss and Mississippi State graduates in the same field, suggesting strong regional employer connections or effective career placement.

The challenge lies in the price tag. At nearly $49,000 in median debt—roughly double what Mississippi peers carry and far above the $27,000 national norm—graduates face monthly loan payments that could consume 15-20% of their take-home pay for a decade. This debt load ranks in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning only 5% of programs saddle students with more), which transforms what should be a solid earnings story into a more complicated financial picture. For context, University of Southern Mississippi delivers comparable outcomes with $20,000 less debt.

The math still works if your child pursues graduate school (where this foundation could pay dividends) or secures employment quickly after graduation. But families should have frank conversations about whether federal loans reached their limits here or if private lending entered the picture. The earnings justify the degree; the debt level requires a clear repayment strategy before enrollment.