Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University's Liberal Arts program delivers exceptional value that defies conventional wisdom about liberal arts degrees. With first-year earnings of $55,339, graduates earn 52% more than the national median for this field ($36,340) and 63% more than other New Hampshire programs ($33,863). This program ranks in the 95th percentile both nationally and within New Hampshire—meaning it outperforms virtually all comparable programs.

The financial picture is compelling: graduates carry $29,084 in debt with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, meaning debt represents roughly half of first-year salary. This is manageable debt that's slightly above the national median but reasonable given the strong earnings premium. The program shows steady career progression with 9% earnings growth by year four, reaching over $60,000 annually.

What makes this particularly noteworthy is SNHU's accessibility—with a 96% admission rate and 47% of students receiving Pell grants, this isn't an elite institution cherry-picking top students. Yet it's producing liberal arts graduates who significantly out-earn peers from other programs. For parents worried about their child's earning potential with a liberal arts degree, SNHU's track record suggests this program can lead to solid middle-class employment outcomes that justify the investment.