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

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 looks manageable on paper, but here's the reality: based on comparable liberal arts programs in New York, graduates typically earn around $36,000 in their first year—barely above the state median—while carrying nearly $25,000 in debt. That's nearly nine months of gross income just to cover what was borrowed. For context, some New York schools offering this same credential report graduates earning $46,000 to $75,000, though those programs likely serve different student populations and career paths. The financial picture here is modest but not alarming, assuming your child has clear plans for how to leverage a general studies degree.

The bigger question is whether a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from a small private college with a 94% admission rate opens enough doors to justify the investment. Programs with such broad coursework can lead anywhere—nonprofit management, communications, graduate school—but they can also lead nowhere without intentional career planning. The estimated figures here reflect typical outcomes across New York's liberal arts programs, meaning this path is neither exceptional nor unusually risky compared to similar credentials statewide.

Your child needs a specific plan for this degree. Without one—internships, networking, graduate school preparation, or targeted skill-building—they risk graduating with debt and credentials that don't translate clearly to employers. If they have that plan, the financial burden is workable. If they're choosing this major by default, push for something more focused.