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

Ohio University-Lancaster's Liberal Arts program produces earnings that lag behind most in-state alternatives, with graduates earning $41,518 four years out—nearly $1,000 below the state median for this degree. That 40th percentile ranking among Ohio schools means six out of ten similar programs deliver better outcomes. The $26,000 debt load is manageable, sitting below both state and national medians, but when paired with below-average earnings, the overall value proposition feels tepid rather than compelling.

The 20% earnings growth from year one to year four shows graduates aren't stuck at entry-level wages, which provides some reassurance. However, even that four-year mark of $41,518 barely reaches the national 75th percentile and falls short of what nearby programs achieve. Xavier and Antioch graduates earn roughly $5,000 more annually—a meaningful gap that compounds over a career. The exceptionally low Pell Grant percentage (just 9%) suggests this campus may serve a more traditional student population, though that doesn't explain the earnings underperformance.

For an anxious parent, this boils down to a simple calculus: your child would graduate with reasonable debt but earnings that trail most Ohio alternatives. If Lancaster's location or campus environment offers specific advantages, the financial difference might be worth it. But purely as an investment, other Ohio Liberal Arts programs deliver stronger returns without dramatically increasing debt burdens.