Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Salve Regina University

A bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Salve Regina carries an estimated debt load of $27,000—right at the national median for this field—while comparable programs in Rhode Island suggest first-year earnings around $37,300. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 means graduates would owe roughly nine months of their first year's salary, which is manageable but not remarkable. The challenge here is that liberal arts degrees tend to show their value over time rather than immediately after graduation, and these early earnings figures don't capture that trajectory.

What complicates the picture is Rhode Island's limited data: only three programs statewide had reportable outcomes, and even Providence College—a well-regarded institution—shows lower first-year earnings at $31,117. This suggests that liberal arts graduates in the state may take time to find their footing in the job market, regardless of where they earn their degree. The national benchmark of $36,340 confirms that Salve Regina's estimated outcomes align with typical performance for this credential.

For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether your student has a clear sense of how they'll leverage this degree—whether through graduate school, specific career pathways, or professional networks. At $27,000 in debt for a degree that starts around $37,000, the math works if there's momentum behind it. Without a plan to translate the liberal arts foundation into something marketable, that debt could linger longer than it should.