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

A debt load near $25,000 against first-year earnings around $36,000 creates a manageable ratio on paper, but the bigger concern is what these estimates from comparable New York programs actually reveal about a liberal arts degree's earning power. Based on peer schools in the state, this bachelor's degree appears to produce roughly median outcomes—barely matching the national benchmark—while schools like Molloy and Excelsior show the field can generate significantly stronger returns, sometimes double what typical programs deliver.

The gap is striking: similar programs at other New York institutions report first-year earnings ranging from the mid-$30s up to nearly $75,000. That suggests the liberal arts umbrella is so broad that the specific curriculum, internship connections, and career services matter enormously. Without reported data for Niagara specifically, you're essentially betting that their version of this degree will land closer to the median than the extremes. With an 85% admission rate and moderate selectivity, there's little to suggest this program positions graduates for the upper tier of outcomes.

Your child could reasonably pay off this estimated debt within a few years if they're disciplined about it, but they're unlikely to feel financially comfortable early on. If they're considering Niagara for liberal arts, push hard for clarity on what distinguishes their program from the pack and what specific career pathways their recent graduates have actually taken.