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

The numbers here are worrying: graduates from Livingstone's Liberal Arts program earn barely $21,640 in their first year—less than many entry-level retail positions. That's not only 40% below North Carolina's median for similar programs ($33,847), but ranks in the bottom 10% statewide. Meanwhile, debt of $35,225 creates an immediate financial burden that's 1.63 times that first-year salary.

There is a silver lining in the 47% earnings jump to $31,814 by year four, suggesting graduates eventually find better footing in the job market. However, even with this growth, earnings remain well below what graduates from UNC Chapel Hill or NC State achieve right out of the gate. The debt load—25% higher than North Carolina's typical liberal arts graduate carries—compounds the challenge. With 84% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already financially stretched.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift with more data, but the pattern is consistent enough to warrant serious concern. If your child is set on Livingstone for community or personal reasons, this program requires a clear plan for managing that debt burden while building toward better-paying opportunities after graduation.