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

A liberal arts degree with estimated debt of $27,625 and first-year earnings around $40,500 lands in surprisingly solid territory—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 suggests graduates could manage repayment within a reasonable timeframe. Based on comparable Ohio programs, this outcome actually tracks slightly above the national median for liberal arts degrees ($36,340) and matches the state average, suggesting Muskingum's program performs competitively within a crowded field of 61 similar offerings across Ohio.

The reality check comes from looking at the state's top performers. Xavier and Antioch liberal arts graduates earn $46,000-$47,000 in their first year—about $6,500 more than what similar programs at Muskingum's peer institutions produce. That gap matters when you're servicing nearly $28,000 in loans on a starting salary. The school's 41% Pell grant population also suggests many families here need that first-year income to stretch further than it comfortably will.

For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether the liberal arts experience at Muskingum justifies paying roughly median debt for median outcomes. The estimates here suggest neither a standout bargain nor a financial disaster—more of a straightforward trade that requires careful attention to minimizing borrowing and having realistic post-graduation plans. If your child can graduate with substantially less than $27,625 in debt through scholarships or family support, the math improves considerably.