Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Purdue University Global

Four years out, graduates of this program earn $60,184—a solid middle-class salary that suggests meaningful career progression. But the path to get there looks rougher when drawing on data from comparable Indiana programs. First-year earnings around $36,000 paired with roughly $28,000 in debt means new graduates face nearly eight months of gross income committed to their education debt, assuming typical repayment terms.

The four-year earnings jump is actually the most compelling part of this story. That $24,000 increase between years one and four indicates this degree opens doors that widen over time, even if the starting gate feels narrow. Similar bachelor's programs in Indiana and nationally cluster right around these same debt and starting salary figures, suggesting Purdue Global's outcomes track with broader patterns for general liberal arts degrees. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, the school serves a population for whom that initial debt burden may feel particularly heavy.

The takeaway: if your child can manage the first few years financially—whether through family support, part-time work, or income-driven repayment—the trajectory improves substantially. But starting at $36,000 in today's economy requires a clear plan for housing costs and loan payments that doesn't leave them financially stranded early on.