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

Ohio University-Southern Campus produces liberal arts graduates who significantly outperform their peers nationally, with first-year earnings of $36,942 placing them in the 95th percentile compared to similar programs nationwide. However, this strong start comes with a concerning pattern: earnings drop 17% by the fourth year to just $30,774, suggesting graduates may struggle to advance beyond entry-level positions or face limited career mobility in the region.

The debt picture tells a more complex story. While the $23,228 median debt is higher than both state ($17,500) and national ($10,950) medians for this program, it remains manageable relative to first-year earnings with a 0.63 debt-to-income ratio. Within Ohio's competitive landscape, this program ranks at the 60th percentile—solid but not exceptional among the state's 76 programs offering liberal arts degrees.

For parents considering this investment, the key question is whether strong initial earnings justify the premium debt load when career growth appears limited. The program clearly provides valuable workforce preparation for the immediate post-graduation period, but the earnings decline suggests graduates may need additional credentials or career pivots to maintain earning power. This could work well for students planning to transfer to a four-year program or those seeking specific regional employment opportunities, but may disappoint families expecting steady career progression.