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

Longwood's liberal arts program punches well above its weight nationally—first-year earnings of $46,714 place graduates in the 95th percentile compared to similar programs across the country. That's nearly $10,000 more than the national median and means this program outperforms roughly 1,180 of the 1,243 schools offering this degree. The manageable debt load of $25,375 produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, meaning graduates earn nearly twice what they owe in their first year alone.

The catch is that earnings dip slightly to $45,651 by year four, suggesting these graduates may be starting in positions with limited advancement opportunities. Within Virginia, this program performs solidly but doesn't crack the top tier—it lands at the 60th percentile statewide, trailing schools like James Madison and Bridgewater by a few thousand dollars. Still, for an institution with an 85% acceptance rate, these outcomes represent genuine value.

For families considering this path, the numbers tell a clear story: Longwood delivers strong initial outcomes at a reasonable cost, making it one of the better bets for a liberal arts degree. Just understand that the trajectory may flatten after those first few years in the workforce, so choosing employers and roles with advancement potential will matter more than for majors with steeper earning curves.