Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Massachusetts Global

The $13,000 jump in median earnings between years one and four tells an interesting story here—this program's graduates appear to gain traction in the job market over time. While the starting salary of $36,875 feels modest for California's cost of living, within four years graduates reach nearly $50,000, placing this program in the 60th percentile among California's liberal arts programs (well above the state median of $31,802).

That earnings trajectory matters because it changes the debt math considerably. The initial debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 looks reasonable for a liberal arts degree, and as earnings climb, that $27,608 in debt becomes increasingly manageable. The debt load itself sits right at the national median, meaning students here aren't being saddled with excessive borrowing compared to peers elsewhere.

For California families, here's what matters: this program outperforms most in-state alternatives while avoiding the debt traps that plague some liberal arts degrees. You're not getting National University's $57,000 outcomes, but you're also building toward solid mid-career earnings. If your child can leverage the degree for career growth—the data suggests many graduates do—this represents a workable investment, especially compared to cheaper programs that might leave them stuck at $32,000 indefinitely.