Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Los Angeles Pacific University

Los Angeles Pacific University graduates with this degree earn about $6,000 more than the typical California liberal arts graduate, placing them in the 60th percentile statewide. That's meaningful context given that many comparable California programs leave graduates earning just $31,802 in their first year. The debt burden here—while substantial at $33,893—comes in at the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs nationwide saddle students with even more debt.

The 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio translates to roughly $294 monthly on a standard 10-year repayment plan, consuming about 9% of gross income. For a liberal arts degree serving a student body where nearly half receive Pell grants, this represents a manageable entry point into the workforce. The earnings aren't spectacular by any measure, but they're competitive within California and above the national median for this field.

The real question is trajectory. Liberal arts degrees often rely on long-term earnings growth rather than strong starting salaries, so families should recognize this as a foundation rather than a peak. At this price point and with better-than-average California outcomes, the program offers reasonable value—just understand you're paying for flexibility and foundational skills rather than immediate earning power.