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

A liberal arts bachelor's degree carrying an estimated $27,000 in debt against first-year earnings around $44,000—based on seven similar Wisconsin programs—yields a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62, which is reasonable but not exceptional. That ratio sits in the manageable range, meaning graduates would theoretically need about seven months of gross income to cover their total debt. However, the modest earnings projection, while exceeding the national median for this major by about $7,400, still reflects the financial reality of humanities degrees: they rarely lead to high early-career salaries.

The catch is that these figures are extrapolated from peer programs rather than Marian's actual outcomes, so they tell you more about the broader landscape than this specific school's track record. What we do know is that other Wisconsin institutions offering this major report first-year earnings ranging from $42,000 to $54,000—a $12,000 spread that matters considerably when you're budgeting loan repayments. Without knowing where Marian actually falls in that range, you're making a bet on uncertain returns.

For families weighing this investment, the question isn't whether liberal arts degrees have value—they do—but whether taking on $27,000 in debt for earnings that might hover in the low-to-mid $40,000s aligns with your family's financial capacity and your student's post-graduation plans. Graduate school, geographic mobility, and career field will all significantly influence whether this degree pays off.