Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT's liberal arts program shatters every assumption about humanities degrees. While the typical liberal arts graduate nationwide earns $36,340 in their first year—and even Massachusetts programs only hit a median of $39,140—MIT liberal arts graduates command $103,135. That's nearly triple the national figure and more than double what graduates earn from Bentley, the next-highest program in Massachusetts. This isn't just good; it ranks in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide among liberal arts programs.

The debt picture makes this even more remarkable. At under $12,000 in median debt compared to the national $27,000, MIT liberal arts graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.12—meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in about six weeks of gross earnings. That low debt figure might seem surprising given MIT's sticker price, but reflects the institution's strong financial aid (19% of students receive Pell grants despite the 5% admission rate).

Here's the practical reality: an MIT humanities degree functions more like a STEM credential in the job market, likely because employers recognize the analytical rigor and problem-solving skills developed alongside MIT's engineering culture. If your child can get in—admittedly a significant hurdle with that 5% acceptance rate—this represents an exceptional outcome for a liberal arts education. The combination of sky-high earnings and minimal debt makes this one of the safest bets in higher education.