Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Detroit Mercy

A $30,829 estimated debt load for first-year earnings around $38,000 puts this program roughly in line with the Michigan median for liberal arts degrees, but context matters. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 suggests graduates would need to allocate about 15% of gross income over five years just to clear this debt—manageable, but not comfortable given that general studies graduates often need additional training or career pivots to increase earnings.

What's worth noting is how this program compares to others in Michigan. Similar liberal arts programs at Spring Arbor and Siena Heights report first-year earnings above $44,000, while even Baker College and Ferris State graduates are clearing $38,000-$42,000. The estimated $37,904 for comparable Michigan programs sits at the lower end of reported outcomes across the state, which means graduates may face a tighter financial window early in their careers than peers at other Michigan schools.

The broad nature of a general studies degree means career outcomes depend heavily on what students do with it—internships, networking, and strategic course selection matter more here than in targeted professional programs. For families comfortable with moderate debt and aware their student may need graduate school or additional credentials to boost earnings, this tracks with typical liberal arts economics. But if the goal is immediate financial independence, the estimated figures suggest exploring programs with more defined career paths or comparing against Michigan schools posting stronger outcomes in this field.