Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Illinois Chicago

A bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from UIC carries an estimated $28,750 in debt against first-year earnings around $42,000—figures drawn from similar programs at Illinois public universities since this specific program's graduate cohort was too small for the DOE to publish. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 sits in reasonable territory, suggesting manageable repayment, though it's worth noting that half of UIC's students receive Pell grants, meaning many families will be particularly sensitive to borrowing this amount for a generalist degree.

The earnings estimate aligns with Illinois's median for liberal arts programs and sits above the national benchmark of $36,340, which reflects UIC's location in a major metropolitan job market. However, the comparison to other Illinois programs reveals a significant spread: DePaul liberal arts graduates report nearly double these estimated earnings at $84,000, while even regional competitors like Chicago State come in higher. This gap likely reflects differences in program specialization, career services effectiveness, and alumni networks rather than pure academic quality.

For families evaluating this investment, the core tension is clear: you're borrowing nearly $29,000 for a degree that provides breadth rather than specialized credentials, in a market where employers increasingly favor specific skills. If your child plans to use this as a stepping stone to graduate school or has a clear career path where the UIC degree opens doors, the moderate debt load won't derail their finances. But if they're uncertain about next steps, that estimated $42,000 first-year salary won't leave much margin for error.