Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

UConn Waterbury defies the usual warnings about liberal arts degrees. Graduates earn $44,240 in their first year—21% above the national median for this program and placing them in the 86th percentile nationally. While that puts them at the state median rather than the top (Yale's liberal arts grads earn $61K), they're achieving these outcomes with roughly half the debt burden of Pell-eligible students at a campus with an 87% admission rate.

The $22,000 median debt makes this particularly compelling. That's $5,000 less than the national median for liberal arts programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50—manageable by any standard. Earnings grow modestly to $47,843 by year four, which isn't spectacular growth but maintains that healthy cushion above typical liberal arts outcomes. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means individual results could vary, but the pattern is clear.

For families worried about the "what can you do with a liberal arts degree" question, UConn Waterbury provides a practical answer: same credential as the main campus, strong regional earnings, and reasonable debt. It's especially worth considering if your child is a Connecticut resident looking for UConn's reputation without the financial stress of a flagship campus.