Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at St. Thomas Aquinas College

Is $24,865 in debt manageable when similar liberal arts programs in New York produce first-year earnings around $35,800? The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 suggests graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under nine months of gross income—a reasonable burden by most standards. However, the stark reality is that comparable programs at other New York schools show a massive earnings spread, from $75,000 at Molloy down to the mid-$30,000s at many institutions. St. Thomas Aquinas College's estimated outcomes land at the state median, meaning half of similar programs do worse.

The challenge with general studies degrees is their wide variability in career outcomes. Peer programs nationally report median earnings of $36,340, which aligns closely with New York's figures. But those top-performing New York programs aren't just slightly better—they're earning double what the typical graduate makes. This suggests that either the specific career focus within liberal arts or the institutional network matters enormously for post-graduation success.

For parents, the key question is whether your student has a clear plan for leveraging this degree. The debt load appears manageable, but the estimated earnings suggest a tight first few years financially. Without knowing this specific program's track record, you're essentially betting on the median New York outcome—which means accepting that your child is just as likely to fall below that figure as exceed it.