Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at Mount St. Joseph University

A debt load of $27,000 against estimated first-year earnings of $39,162 creates a manageable ratio on paper, but the real concern here is Ohio's vastly different trajectory. Other legal studies programs in the state report median earnings of $51,231—about $12,000 more annually than what comparable programs nationally suggest Mount St. Joseph graduates might earn. That's not a small gap when you're trying to pay down nearly $30,000 in loans.

The estimation here matters because we're drawing from a small national sample of similar programs rather than actual Mount St. Joseph outcomes. The school's 57% admission rate and modest SAT scores suggest it serves a different population than Ohio State, which could explain why its outcomes might trail the state benchmark. But without confirmed data, parents are essentially betting that this program will mirror the national pattern rather than match Ohio's stronger showing—and that's a meaningful distinction when the state median sits 31% higher.

The practical question is whether a general legal studies bachelor's justifies this investment when you're likely looking at sub-$40,000 starting pay. If your student plans graduate school or has connections in legal fields, this could serve as a foundation. But if they're banking on the degree alone to launch a career, the estimated earnings—particularly compared to what other Ohio programs achieve—suggest exploring more specific credentials or programs with transparent outcomes data.