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

Ohio University-Zanesville's liberal arts associate program ranks among the nation's top performers for earnings, placing in the 95th percentile nationally with first-year graduates earning $36,942—significantly above the national median of $27,248. However, this strong start comes with a notable downside: earnings decline 17% by the fourth year, dropping to $30,774. While still respectable, this pattern suggests the initial advantage may not sustain long-term career growth.

The debt picture tells a more encouraging story. At $23,228, graduates carry more debt than the national median but rank in the favorable 5th percentile nationally for debt levels. More importantly, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 is quite manageable, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to handle their loan payments. Within Ohio, the program performs solidly at the 60th percentile for earnings, though it's worth noting that several other Ohio schools achieve higher outcomes.

For families considering this program, the math works reasonably well despite the earnings decline. Graduates start with strong earning potential and manageable debt, creating a foundation that many associate degree programs can't match. The key question is whether the liberal arts focus aligns with career goals that can sustain or rebuild that initial earning power over time.