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

The three Liberal Arts programs in North Dakota that report outcomes show remarkably similar earnings—clustering tightly between $34,000 and $45,000—which suggests this $42,948 estimate sits squarely in the middle of what's typical for this credential in the state. With estimated debt around $27,000, graduates would face monthly payments of roughly $300 on a standard 10-year plan, manageable on a $43,000 salary but leaving little margin for error in the early career years.

What matters most here is the national context: similar programs across the country typically produce median earnings of $36,340, meaning North Dakota's Liberal Arts graduates appear to command a meaningful premium—nearly $7,000 more annually. Whether that advantage stems from the state's particular economy or the relatively small number of programs competing for jobs isn't clear, but it's a real differential. The debt load aligns precisely with the national median for this degree, so you're not looking at an unusually expensive program.

The practical question is whether your child has a specific career path in mind. A general studies degree at this price point works when it leads somewhere concrete—teacher certification, graduate school, or a field where the bachelor's credential opens doors. If the plan is to figure things out after graduation, $27,000 in debt on $43,000 in earnings leaves less room for exploration than you might hope.