Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Southern Connecticut State University

Southern Connecticut State's liberal arts program sits at a significant disadvantage compared to other Connecticut options. While its first-year earnings of $36,168 land squarely at the national median, graduates earn roughly $8,000 less annually than the Connecticut median of $44,240—placing this program in just the 25th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful gap in a state where in-state tuition typically drives enrollment decisions. Public alternatives like UConn's various campuses report median earnings of $44,240, offering considerably better returns at similar debt levels.

The debt picture adds another concern: graduates carry $26,625 in loans, which is actually higher than Connecticut's $22,000 median for this program, despite earning well below state averages. The 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it means students start with debt equivalent to nine months of salary while their peers at other state schools face better ratios. The 15% earnings growth to $41,609 by year four is respectable, though it still leaves graduates trailing the state median by a considerable margin.

For Connecticut families, this creates an uncomfortable calculation. Your child would likely graduate with above-average debt for the state while earning below-average wages for the field. If a liberal arts degree is the goal, the data suggests looking first at UConn or even exploring Charter Oak State College, both of which offer substantially better earning outcomes at comparable or lower debt levels.