Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's Liberal Arts program starts strong, with first-year graduates earning $43,393—well above both the national median ($36,340) and Ohio's median ($40,556). That 82nd percentile national ranking is impressive for a general studies degree. The moderate debt load of $21,250 is also notably lower than typical graduates in this field face ($27,000 nationally, $31,000 in Ohio). For a flagship university education at a reasonable price, the initial picture looks solid.

The concern is what happens next. By year four, median earnings drop to $38,118—a 12% decline that suggests many graduates are either changing career paths or struggling to advance in their initial roles. This pattern isn't unusual for general studies degrees, which often serve as exploratory paths rather than direct career preparation. Within Ohio, this program ranks at the 60th percentile, meaning it's middle-of-the-pack for the state despite OSU's reputation.

For parents, the question is whether your child has clear post-graduation plans. If they're using this degree as a stepping stone to graduate school or will leverage OSU's alumni network and career services, the low debt and strong brand name make it workable. But if the expectation is steady career growth with just a bachelor's degree, understand that the typical trajectory here involves some trial and error in those early years.