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

Ohio University's Liberal Arts associate degree commands premium pricing that may not justify the investment. While graduates earn $36,942 initially—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally for this program—they carry $23,228 in debt, more than double the national average of $10,950. That debt load places this program in the worst 5th percentile nationally, creating a concerning financial burden for an associate degree.

The earnings trajectory makes matters worse. After four years, median earnings drop to $30,774, representing a 17% decline when most careers should be advancing. Even more troubling, this puts graduates barely above the national median of $27,248 for similar programs, despite the heavy debt load. Within Ohio, this program ranks only in the 60th percentile, meaning three other Ohio University campuses deliver identical outcomes, and schools like Marion Technical College produce graduates earning $15,000 more annually.

The math is stark: graduates face debt payments on $23,000 while watching their earning power decline over time. For families considering this program, community colleges offering similar liberal arts programs typically cost far less and lead to equivalent transfer opportunities. Unless your child has compelling reasons to attend Ohio University specifically, more affordable alternatives would provide better financial outcomes for launching a four-year degree path.