Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at St. John's College

St. John's College charges a steep price for its distinctive Great Books curriculum. Despite an incoming class with near-1400 SATs—a profile that typically predicts strong post-graduation outcomes—liberal arts graduates here earn just $23,029 one year out, landing in the 5th percentile nationally. That's $13,000 below New Mexico's already-modest state median for this major and $20,000 below the national figure.

The $27,000 in debt is manageable in absolute terms, but the earnings are so low that the 1.17 debt-to-earnings ratio still creates pressure. Recent graduates are earning less than many high school graduates in retail management, raising questions about whether St. John's intellectual mission translates into practical career positioning. Even within New Mexico—not a high-earning state—this program ranks only at the 25th percentile, behind all major state universities.

The moderate sample size suggests these aren't outlier results. For families paying out-of-state tuition or taking loans, the financial math is particularly challenging. If your child is drawn to St. John's pedagogy, understand you're making a bet on long-term intellectual development rather than near-term earnings—and that bet comes with real financial constraints in those crucial early career years when many graduates are trying to establish independence.