Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Rollins College

A bachelor's degree from a selective private college that leads to estimated first-year earnings of $35,000 demands careful consideration of the investment. Based on comparable liberal arts programs in Florida, graduates face nearly $31,000 in debt—roughly 15% above what students at other Florida schools in this major typically borrow. That debt load equals almost 87% of first-year earnings, meaning nearly a full year's income would go toward paying off loans if a graduate devoted everything to that goal.

The earnings picture is particularly troubling when you look at what Florida's top liberal arts programs actually produce. University of Miami graduates in this field earn over $50,000 their first year out—43% more than what similar programs at Rollins suggest. Even large public universities like UCF and USF show reported outcomes in the mid-to-high $40,000s. Rollins' selectivity (41% admission rate, 1304 average SAT) doesn't appear to translate into a wage premium, at least not immediately after graduation.

The reality is that you're considering a significant financial commitment based on incomplete information. Before depositing, request concrete placement data from Rollins directly: where do their liberal arts graduates actually work, and what do they earn? A $30,000+ debt burden makes sense only if this program opens doors that justify the cost—connections, internships, graduate school preparation—that the numbers alone don't reveal.