Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Sul Ross State University

At $26,175 in estimated debt against projected first-year earnings of $38,829, this program tracks right at the Texas median for liberal arts degrees—both figures drawn from peer institutions across the state rather than Sul Ross graduates specifically. That 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, roughly equivalent to borrowing two-thirds of a first-year salary.

The challenge lies in what similar Texas programs typically produce versus what top performers achieve. While the estimated earnings here match the state median, schools like UT Austin and University of St Thomas report actual outcomes $6,400 to $14,400 higher for the same credential. The gap matters when you're serving a student population where 52% receive Pell grants—these graduates need every dollar of earning power they can get. Liberal arts degrees at Sul Ross's 96% admission rate compete in a crowded field where outcomes vary dramatically by institution.

For families considering this path, recognize you're looking at estimates based on Texas programs broadly, not tracked outcomes from Alpine. The debt load appears reasonable if earnings materialize as projected, but with liberal arts majors ranging from $36,000 to $53,000 in Texas, the institution you choose matters as much as the major. If Sul Ross offers specific advantages—geography, cost of attendance, or program focus—those could tip the scales, but on estimated numbers alone, this looks like an average investment in a field where differentiation proves difficult.