Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University's liberal arts program sits comfortably above both state and national medians, ranking in the 60th percentile among Kentucky schools—a meaningful achievement for a broadly accessible program at a public university. Graduates earn $37,602 in their first year and $45,457 by year four, outpacing the Kentucky median of $35,025. The $28,750 in typical debt lands below the 35th percentile nationally, meaning most comparable programs leave students with more to repay. At a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76, graduates can realistically manage their loans while building careers.

The 21% earnings growth over four years suggests these graduates aren't hitting an immediate ceiling—they're gaining traction in the job market. While this program won't command the starting salaries of Thomas More's standout $62,607, it performs respectably against regional competitors like Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky. For in-state students attending NKU, this represents a solid middle-ground option: lower debt than the state median while earning slightly more.

The real advantage here is accessibility paired with reasonable outcomes. With a 96% admission rate and modest debt burden, this program offers a viable path for students who need flexibility in their degree while maintaining earnings potential that exceeds what most liberal arts graduates achieve statewide.