Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Ohio Christian University

The four-year earnings figure—$29,536—tells a troubling story that overshadows the seemingly manageable first-year outlook. While similar liberal arts programs in Ohio suggest graduates might start around $40,556, something happens between years one and four that drives earnings significantly backward. This isn't a plateau; it's a steep decline that puts graduates well below both the national median ($36,340) and what peers at Xavier ($47,064) or Ohio State ($43,393) are earning at the same career stage.

The $28,250 in debt sits near the national median for these programs, but context matters: you're borrowing to finance a degree where earnings drop by more than $11,000 over four years rather than grow. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 looks reasonable only if you focus on the estimated first year. By year four, when we have actual data, graduates are earning barely enough to cover basic living expenses, let alone aggressive loan repayment.

For parents considering this investment, the core question isn't whether their child can handle the debt load initially—it's why earnings collapse so dramatically after graduation. Without understanding what drives that decline (career changes, part-time work, geographic limitations?), you're essentially betting $28,250 on a credential where the typical graduate's financial situation deteriorates rather than improves with experience. That's a risky proposition when stronger liberal arts programs in Ohio demonstrate it doesn't have to work this way.