Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Miami University-Hamilton

Miami University-Hamilton's Liberal Arts program outperforms most Ohio schools in this field while keeping debt below the state median—a combination that should interest cost-conscious families. At $40,556 in first-year earnings, graduates match the Ohio median and rank in the 70th percentile nationally, beating three-quarters of similar programs across the country. The $31,000 debt load equals the state average but stays well below what many comparable schools charge, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 that's quite manageable for a liberal arts degree.

The earnings trajectory is essentially flat, growing just 3% to $41,606 by year four. While this isn't the steep climb parents might hope for, it reflects the reality of many liberal arts careers where the degree serves as a foundation for diverse paths rather than a direct pipeline to high-paying roles. The real question is opportunity cost: students could potentially earn just $6,000 more annually at Xavier or Antioch, but likely at significantly higher tuition costs given Hamilton's regional campus model.

For families prioritizing in-state affordability over prestige, this program delivers solid returns. The combination of above-average starting salaries and controlled debt makes it a reasonable foundation for students who will use this degree as a stepping stone—whether toward graduate school, professional certifications, or industries where the credential matters more than the specific major.