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

Lee University's liberal arts program starts strong with first-year earnings of $45,678—well above both national and Tennessee medians—but there's a significant catch. By year four, earnings drop to $34,588, a 24% decline that's unusual for bachelor's degree holders. This pattern suggests graduates may be taking initial jobs that don't require their degree or lack clear career progression. While the program ranks in the 92nd percentile nationally, that impressive statistic reflects only that strong first year. In Tennessee, it sits right at the median, meaning half the state's liberal arts programs deliver comparable or better outcomes.

The debt picture is manageable at $28,979, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 based on that initial salary. However, parents should consider that ratio against the year-four earnings, where it becomes less favorable. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests these patterns are reasonably reliable, not statistical noise.

The key question is whether your student has a specific career path in mind. This program might work for students using it as a stepping stone to graduate school or professional programs, but those planning to enter the workforce directly should expect the job market to be challenging. Lee's admission profile is accessible, but that doesn't explain the earnings decline—this appears to be a structural issue with how liberal arts graduates from this program transition into careers.