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

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 looks manageable on paper, but the underlying numbers tell a more sobering story. Based on comparable liberal arts programs in New Jersey, graduates here would carry $26,000 in debt while earning around $38,000 in their first year—below what students at Rowan, Stockton, or Rider typically make with the same degree. That $38,000 estimate matches New Jersey's median for this major, meaning half of similar programs produce better outcomes. For a school with a 90% acceptance rate and moderate selectivity, the fact that estimated outcomes barely reach the state average should prompt questions about value.

The comparison to top-performing New Jersey programs is telling. Thomas Edison State graduates with this degree earn an estimated $49,779—nearly $12,000 more annually than what peer programs at Monmouth suggest. Even public options like Rowan and Stockton show stronger estimated returns. When you're financing a bachelor's degree primarily through loans, those thousands add up quickly in terms of repayment capacity and financial security after graduation.

The takeaway: This program appears to deliver middle-of-the-road outcomes at a price point that requires significant borrowing. Your family should compare Monmouth's actual net cost to what you'd pay at the higher-earning New Jersey schools listed above, then run the loan repayment numbers using those estimated salaries to see which investment makes more sense.