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

Ohio University-Eastern's liberal arts program commands a premium price but delivers exceptional early earnings that place it in the 95th percentile nationally—significantly outpacing the $27,248 national median. However, this initial advantage comes with a troubling pattern: graduates see their earnings drop 17% by year four, falling from $36,942 to $30,774. While still respectable compared to national peers, this decline raises questions about long-term career trajectory.

The debt picture adds complexity. At $23,228, graduates carry more than double the national median debt for similar programs, though this places the school in just the 5th percentile for debt nationally (meaning 95% of programs saddle students with more debt). Within Ohio, the program sits at the 60th percentile for earnings—solidly middle-of-the-pack among 76 in-state options, with several programs delivering similar first-year outcomes.

The financial fundamentals remain sound with a 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates can reasonably manage their debt load even with the earnings decline. For parents, this program offers strong initial employment prospects but requires realistic expectations about income growth. The premium cost appears justified by the exceptional early earnings, making it a viable choice for students who need immediate post-graduation income and can accept potentially limited advancement in their first few years.