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

A debt load of $29,467 for a liberal arts bachelor's degree lands squarely in the middle range nationally, but the concerning trend here is where earnings appear to be heading. Based on comparable Illinois programs, first-year earnings around $42,000 would put graduates near the state median for this degree—a reasonable start. However, the reported four-year earnings of $38,711 suggest graduates may be losing ground rather than gaining it, an unusual trajectory that could reflect career instability or movement into lower-paying roles as these graduates search for their professional footing.

The debt-to-earnings picture of 0.70 isn't dire—it means roughly seven months of gross income to cover student loans—but it offers little cushion if that downward earnings trend continues. While some liberal arts programs in Illinois produce dramatically better outcomes (DePaul grads earn double), UIS serves a different student population, with over a third on Pell grants and an accessible admission profile. The question isn't whether this compares to DePaul, but whether $30,000 in debt makes sense for earnings that may plateau in the high $30,000s.

For families banking on a liberal arts degree to open doors, insist on understanding what specific career services and alumni networks UIS offers. Without a clear path to graduate school or professional development that can reverse that earnings slide, this investment requires a backup plan from day one.