Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Shawnee State University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 suggests a manageable financial start, but there's uncertainty here worth acknowledging. Since Shawnee State's graduate pool for this program is too small for the Department of Education to report, we're looking at estimates drawn from 25 similar liberal arts bachelor's programs across Ohio. Those comparable programs show first-year earnings around $40,556—slightly above the national median of $36,340—with typical debt loads of $31,000.

Four years out, graduates in this field are earning $43,642, which represents modest growth but keeps pace with what Ohio's stronger liberal arts programs produce. Xavier and Antioch graduates start higher, but the gap narrows by year four. The real question is whether a general studies degree provides enough career direction to justify the debt, especially when 35% of Shawnee State's students rely on Pell grants and may have limited financial cushion.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimates suggest you're looking at a middle-of-the-pack outcome compared to other Ohio liberal arts programs—not particularly risky, but not standout either. The key variable is what your student plans to do with this degree, since liberal arts paths often require graduate school or specific career planning to reach higher earnings potential.