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

Mercy University's Liberal Arts program punches well above its weight class. At $46,408 first-year earnings, graduates outearn 80% of similar programs across New York—landing just behind Cornell and ahead of CUNY City College. Nationally, this ranks in the 95th percentile, nearly $10,000 above the typical liberal arts graduate.

The debt picture strengthens the case further. While New York liberal arts programs typically leave students with $24,916 in loans, Mercy's $33,687 is higher but still ranks in the lowest 5th percentile nationally for debt burden—meaning 95% of similar programs nationwide load students with more debt. The 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than a year's salary, manageable for a humanities degree. Given that nearly half of students receive Pell grants, these outcomes suggest the program successfully serves students from modest backgrounds.

The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means individual outliers could influence these numbers, but the consistency across multiple favorable metrics—top earnings, controlled debt, strong percentile rankings—paints a reliable picture. For families worried about liberal arts ROI, Mercy offers a rare combination: accessibility (85% admission rate), strong early career outcomes that rival selective institutions, and debt levels that won't derail financial independence.