Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

At just under $27,000 in first-year earnings, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's liberal arts program ranks in the bottom quarter nationally and lands below the state median of $33,000. Among Arkansas's 23 schools offering this degree, UAFS sits at the 25th percentile—meaning three-quarters of comparable programs in the state produce better-earning graduates. The debt load of $28,187 essentially equals a full year's starting salary, creating immediate financial pressure for graduates. Even after four years, median earnings reach only $32,717, which barely catches up to what graduates from other Arkansas programs earn right out of the gate.

The 22% earnings growth over four years shows some recovery, but the starting point is so low that graduates spend years just reaching what peers at Arkansas State or UA-Little Rock earn immediately. With 39% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are banking on this degree to provide economic mobility—but the data suggests that's an uphill climb. Graduates earn $10,000 less than the national median for this degree, a significant gap that compounds over time.

For families weighing this investment, the clearer path appears to be looking at other Arkansas public universities offering the same degree at similar costs but with substantially better earnings outcomes. The difference between UAFS's $26,728 starting salary and Arkansas State's $33,881 amounts to over $7,000 annually—meaningful money for graduates managing nearly $28,000 in debt.