Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Roberts Wesleyan University

Roberts Wesleyan's liberal arts program produces first-year earnings of just over $30,000—about $6,000 below both the national and New York state medians for this degree. Among the 87 New York schools offering this program, it ranks in the bottom quarter. The debt load of $23,236 is actually slightly lower than typical for this field, which keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.77, but that's small comfort when the starting salary itself is so modest.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, but the broader pattern is concerning: graduates are earning roughly what they'd make in many jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree. When other New York liberal arts programs like Molloy and Cornell are placing graduates at $46,000-$75,000, the gap suggests that either this program lacks the professional development resources or alumni networks needed to translate a liberal arts education into strong career outcomes.

For families considering this route, the question isn't just about the degree itself—it's about what Roberts Wesleyan specifically can offer beyond it. If your child needs the smaller campus environment and has a clear career plan that requires additional credentialing (teaching certification, graduate school, etc.), this might work as a stepping stone. But as a standalone investment, these earnings suggest your student would struggle to achieve financial independence quickly after graduation.