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

A liberal arts degree from Missouri State leaves graduates earning less than peers at virtually every comparable institution in the state—coming in well below Missouri's median of $37,588 and ranking in just the 40th percentile among state programs. At $33,014, first-year earnings trail the national benchmark by over $3,000, while graduates from flagship Missouri-Columbia earn nearly $6,300 more annually with similar debt loads.

The debt burden compounds this earnings gap. While $28,371 isn't catastrophic, it's above the national median when paired with below-average earnings. The 0.86 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates are carrying nearly a year's salary in loans—manageable but hardly comfortable. Missouri State's 91% admission rate suggests limited selectivity, yet the program's outcomes lag behind what students could achieve at more competitive state schools or even smaller liberal arts colleges like William Jewell, where first-year earnings reach $50,663.

For Missouri families, this program represents below-average value in a state with stronger alternatives. Students who can gain admission to Missouri State would likely qualify for the state flagship or UMKC, both of which deliver substantially better earnings outcomes. Unless location or specific program features are compelling, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere within the state system.