Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Siena Heights University

Siena Heights delivers something rare for a liberal arts degree: graduates earn $44,746 their first year—significantly above Michigan's median of $37,904 and well ahead of the national benchmark. Among Michigan's 29 programs, this sits comfortably in the 60th percentile, and nationally it outperforms 88% of similar programs. For a moderately selective regional university, these earnings are impressive.

The debt picture looks manageable at $27,137, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61—meaning graduates should be able to handle payments on a typical repayment plan. That's roughly average debt for this degree type, but paired with above-average earnings, it creates a more favorable equation than you'll find at most schools. Earnings growth to $46,912 by year four is modest but steady, and the comparison to Michigan's top programs is revealing: Siena Heights graduates out-earn those from Spring Arbor by year four, despite similar debt loads.

The major caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 recent graduates means these numbers could shift with the next cohort. But as liberal arts programs go, this one appears to prepare students for employment better than most. For Michigan families wanting the liberal arts experience without the typical earnings penalty, Siena Heights deserves serious consideration.