Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Dallas

Based on comparable Texas liberal arts programs, University of Dallas graduates enter the workforce earning around $39,000—precisely the state median for this major. That's a solid middle-of-the-road outcome, though notably behind what students at UT-Austin or University of St. Thomas achieve in the same field. The estimated $27,000 in debt creates a manageable 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly 8-9 months of their first-year salary.

What matters here is understanding what you're paying for at a selective private university with strong academic credentials (SAT scores well above 1200). Similar Texas programs span from $43,500 down to this $39,000 mark, suggesting that University of Dallas occupies the middle tier for early career outcomes despite its competitive admissions. The relatively modest debt load helps offset the middling earnings start, but parents should recognize they're not seeing the premium earnings bump that might justify choosing this over a public alternative.

The practical question is whether University of Dallas's educational approach—smaller classes, a Great Books curriculum, robust community—delivers value beyond what shows up in year-one paychecks. For students planning graduate school or careers where the liberal arts degree serves as a foundation rather than a credential, this debt-to-earnings picture won't derail their plans. But if immediate earning power matters most, the peer program data suggests looking either at the top performers in this field or at more career-focused majors entirely.