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

Ohio's liberal arts programs show substantial earnings variation, and Marietta College's estimated outcomes land right at the state median of roughly $41,000. While the limited graduate sample prevents us from knowing actual outcomes for this specific program, comparable programs across Ohio suggest first-year earnings that outpace the national benchmark for liberal arts degrees by about $4,000. The estimated debt of $27,625 aligns closely with both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68—manageable if these estimates hold true.

The challenge here is the wide range among Ohio's top programs. Xavier and Antioch graduates earn nearly $47,000 in their first year, while Kent State's regional campuses cluster around $41,000. Without knowing where Marietta's actual graduates fall in this spectrum, families are betting on peer program performance rather than demonstrated outcomes. The college's 79% admission rate and moderate test scores suggest a less selective environment than some of the higher-earning competitors, which could matter for networking and employer perception.

For parents comfortable with typical liberal arts debt levels, this program appears viable if their child genuinely needs the flexibility of a general studies degree. But given the uncertainty and the fact that more focused majors at comparable schools often produce clearer career outcomes, you'd want strong confidence that your child will leverage this broad credential effectively—whether through graduate school, internships, or other skill-building experiences that create marketable differentiation.