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

National University's liberal arts graduates earn nearly $58,000 in their first year—a figure that outpaces 95% of similar programs both nationally and statewide. That's $26,000 more than California's median for this degree and almost $60% above the national benchmark. Only Saint Mary's College produces comparable outcomes among California schools. The debt burden of $35,426 sits above both state and national medians, but with a 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates are earning nearly twice what they owe—a manageable position that most liberal arts programs don't achieve.

The caveat here matters: fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could shift significantly with a larger cohort. Liberal arts programs typically struggle with earnings, making this performance remarkable if it holds. National University's urban San Diego location and adult-focused student body (many already employed) may explain why outcomes differ so dramatically from typical liberal arts trajectories.

For families concerned about the practical value of a liberal arts degree, this program challenges conventional wisdom. If your student values the flexibility of general studies but needs strong earning potential, National University delivers both—though you're betting on a small dataset continuing to outperform. The earnings advantage over other California options is substantial enough to justify the moderate debt load, assuming the pattern holds.