Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Lewis-Clark State College

Lewis-Clark State College's liberal arts program outperforms both state and national benchmarks, which is notable for a degree that often struggles with post-graduation earnings. At $39,404 after one year, graduates earn 22% more than the typical Idaho liberal arts graduate and 8% above the national median. Within Idaho, this program ranks in the 60th percentile—ahead of larger state institutions like the University of Idaho and Idaho State University.

The debt picture is manageable: $26,698 lands right at Idaho's median and creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68, meaning graduates owe less than eight months of their first-year salary. More encouraging is the earnings trajectory—a 21% jump to $47,757 by year four suggests graduates are finding stable career paths rather than bouncing between low-wage jobs. This growth rate matters because many liberal arts graduates struggle to gain traction early in their careers.

For Idaho families weighing in-state options, this program delivers stronger outcomes than the state's flagship university at a fraction of the cost. The 90% admission rate means accessibility, and the moderate debt load keeps financial risk contained. While a liberal arts degree won't match engineering salaries, this particular program demonstrates you can pursue broader studies without sacrificing earning potential—at least by Idaho standards.