Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University's Liberal Arts program stands out for one thing: remarkably low student debt. At just $16,001, graduates leave with about 40% less debt than the typical Utah liberal arts student and significantly below the national benchmark of $27,000. That's a real advantage, particularly from a regional public university serving a substantial Pell Grant population.

The challenge is what happens after graduation. Earnings start at $35,814—already below both Utah's median ($37,839) and the national average—but then decline to $32,839 by year four. This downward trajectory is unusual and concerning. While the 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, it only holds if graduates can maintain or improve their income trajectory. Among Utah's seven programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile, trailing schools like Utah Valley ($44,366) and Weber State ($39,864) by considerable margins.

For parents, this program makes sense primarily if your student values Southern Utah's environment and has clear post-graduation plans that leverage the degree strategically—perhaps as a stepping stone to graduate school or specific career pivots where initial earnings matter less. The low debt load provides flexibility that higher-earning programs with heavier debt burdens don't offer. But if maximizing earning potential is the priority, other Utah public universities deliver stronger returns on the liberal arts investment.