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

Liberal arts programs in Missouri show a troubling spread, and Rockhurst's estimated numbers land squarely in the middle—which means underperforming more ambitious peers by a significant margin. Based on comparable programs at similar Missouri institutions, graduates here likely face around $30,000 in debt against first-year earnings of $37,600. That 0.80 debt ratio sits right at the threshold where payments become manageable but hardly generous, especially when William Jewell and Saint Louis University graduates in the same field are earning $48,000 to $51,000 from day one—a $10,000 to $13,000 annual advantage that compounds quickly.

The real question is what justifies choosing Rockhurst when peer programs suggest better outcomes elsewhere in the state. At 19% Pell enrollment and a 1218 average SAT, this isn't serving a particularly disadvantaged population that might excuse middling returns. The estimated earnings barely edge above the national median for liberal arts degrees, meaning you're paying private-school debt for public-school outcomes.

For families weighing this program, the estimation itself matters less than the pattern: among Missouri's liberal arts options, this one appears positioned in the mediocre middle tier rather than competing with the clear winners. Unless Rockhurst offers something uniquely valuable beyond the diploma—specific faculty connections, Kansas City network access, or a particular campus fit—similar programs at stronger-performing schools deserve serious consideration first.