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

Thomas Aquinas College graduates earn more than 60% of comparable liberal arts programs in California—a meaningful achievement given that first-year earnings of $33,432 fall below the national median by about $3,000. This performance gap narrows by year four, when earnings reach $40,912 and approach national averages, suggesting graduates' classical education eventually finds market traction despite a slower start.

The real story here is the debt picture. At $18,000, graduates carry about half the debt burden typical for this major nationwide, placing this program in the 95th percentile nationally for low debt. That 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio means students will owe roughly six months of their first-year salary—manageable by almost any standard. For context, the California state median debt for this program is $17,500, so Thomas Aquinas is competitive even at the state level where costs tend to run lower.

The tradeoff is straightforward: expect below-average starting pay in exchange for minimal debt and solid earnings trajectory. For families who value the college's distinctive Great Books curriculum and can accept a modest initial salary, this represents a financially viable path. Those prioritizing immediate earning power should note that California's top liberal arts programs start graduates at $50,000+, nearly 50% higher than Thomas Aquinas.