Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State's Liberal Arts program stands out nationally, placing graduates in the 89th percentile for earnings with a median first-year salary of $45,074—well above both the national median of $36,340 and Tennessee's $37,437. This represents one of the stronger Liberal Arts programs you'll find, particularly impressive given the university's accessible 68% admission rate and moderate selectivity.

The debt picture reinforces the program's value. At $29,723, student debt sits in the favorable 27th percentile nationally and closely matches Tennessee's median. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66, graduates can reasonably manage their loans—significantly better than many Liberal Arts programs that often struggle with higher debt burdens relative to starting salaries. Among Tennessee's 29 Liberal Arts programs, MTSU ranks solidly in the 60th percentile, trailing only elite private institutions like Lee University.

However, the minimal 2% earnings growth over four years means graduates shouldn't expect significant salary jumps early in their careers. Despite this limitation, the combination of strong starting salaries, manageable debt, and robust data from 100+ graduates makes this program a solid choice for students seeking a Liberal Arts education with practical financial outcomes.