Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Pacific University

A $27,000 debt load against first-year earnings around $38,000 sounds manageable on paper—and for a liberal arts degree, that 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio sits comfortably below the danger zone. But these figures come from peer programs rather than Pacific's actual graduates, so they represent what's typical for similar Oregon liberal arts programs, not a guarantee of what your child will experience.

The estimated earnings align precisely with Oregon's median for these programs and edge slightly above the national benchmark of $36,340. That consistency across comparable schools suggests a fairly predictable outcome: modest but stable early-career earnings that should support repayment on that debt level. Liberal arts degrees rarely command high starting salaries, but they also rarely trap graduates in unmanageable debt situations when borrowing stays around $27,000.

What matters most here is career direction. Liberal arts programs succeed when students leverage them toward specific opportunities—teaching credentials, graduate school, communications roles—rather than treating the degree as an end in itself. Without knowing Pacific's actual placement outcomes or how their 92% admission rate translates to academic rigor and employer recognition, you're betting on your child's ability to activate this degree purposefully. The numbers suggest this won't be a financial disaster, but the broad nature of the program means career success will depend heavily on what your child builds around it.