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

Magdalen College's liberal arts program produces graduates earning $29,035 one year after graduation—about $5,000 below New Hampshire's median for this degree and roughly $7,300 below the national average. While it ranks in the 40th percentile statewide (essentially middle-of-the-pack for New Hampshire), it sits in just the 18th percentile nationally, meaning 82% of similar programs across the country report higher earnings.

The debt picture is slightly better than average at $25,200, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.87. That's manageable on paper—graduates owe less than one year's salary—but the low absolute earnings create practical challenges. After taxes and living expenses, paying down even moderate debt on $29,000 annually means tight budgets for several years. The college serves a largely middle- and lower-income population (46% receive Pell grants), so family financial support may be limited.

An important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. Still, even accounting for the small sample, the gap between Magdalen's outcomes and nearby competitors like Southern New Hampshire University ($55,339) is striking. For families considering this program, the question becomes whether Magdalen's specific educational approach justifies accepting earnings that trail state and national norms by considerable margins.