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

Northwestern's post-baccalaureate certificate in Liberal Arts and Sciences occupies an unusual niche, but the numbers tell a compelling story for the right student. While first-year earnings of $59,139 match the national median for these certificates, graduates see remarkable momentum—jumping 35% to nearly $80,000 by year four. That trajectory matters far more than the starting point, especially when you're taking on just $19,312 in debt (well below the national median of $28,249). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 means graduates owe roughly four months' salary, which is manageable even on that first-year income.

Context helps here: this is a tiny program category nationally (only 32 schools offer it), and Northwestern is the sole provider in Illinois. The 95th percentile national earnings ranking reflects strong outcomes, though the 60th percentile state ranking is somewhat misleading given there's literally no in-state competition for comparison. This certificate appears designed for career changers or credential stackers who already have bachelor's degrees—the moderate sample size suggests steady but selective enrollment.

For parents whose adult children need to pivot careers or strengthen credentials, this represents a low-debt way to leverage Northwestern's prestige and network. The strong earnings growth indicates these certificates open doors rather than dead-end. Just understand you're paying for access and signaling, not a traditional degree path.