Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Missouri Southern State University

Missouri Southern's Liberal Arts program lands slightly above the national median but trails most Missouri schools, ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. The first-year earnings of $36,783 beat the national benchmark by about $400, yet fall $800 short of the typical Missouri graduate in this field—and considerably behind flagship options like Mizzou ($39,317) or even regional competitors.

The debt picture offers the main bright spot here: at $31,000, borrowers carry about $3,000 more than typical Liberal Arts graduates nationally but remain manageable given the near 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio. The real concern is the earnings trajectory—graduates actually see a slight decline by year four rather than growth. This stagnation puts Missouri Southern grads at a disadvantage compared to peers whose earnings typically improve with experience.

For Missouri families weighing their options, this program makes the most sense for students who need an accessible entry point (97% admission rate) and plan to supplement their degree with specific skills or networking. The debt load won't crush you, but the earnings ceiling appears lower than what neighboring institutions deliver. If your student can gain admission to Mizzou or UMKC, those programs show meaningfully better outcomes for similar debt levels.