Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Minnesota-Morris

At $26,662 in debt, this liberal arts bachelor's appears manageable on paper—a 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within the comfortable range most financial advisors recommend. However, the larger story here is about Minnesota's liberal arts market, where similar programs typically deliver far stronger outcomes. The state median for this field sits at $52,930, nearly $17,000 above what national peer programs suggest this degree might produce. UMN-Twin Cities and Metropolitan State both report first-year earnings exceeding $49,000 for their liberal arts graduates.

That gap matters practically. The difference between $36,000 and $53,000 isn't just about lifestyle—it determines how quickly your child can pay down debt, save for emergencies, or pursue graduate education if needed. Morris serves a meaningful mission as Minnesota's public liberal arts college, with 31% of students on Pell grants, but the estimated earnings picture doesn't reflect the premium typically commanded by Minnesota liberal arts programs. This could reflect differences in student career paths, geographic mobility after graduation, or the types of employers these graduates pursue versus those at larger campuses.

The takeaway: If your child is drawn to Morris's small-college experience, understand you may be trading higher typical Minnesota liberal arts earnings for other benefits. Ask the school directly about placement rates, alumni networks, and where recent graduates actually land—those specifics matter more than statewide averages when the data for this particular program remains suppressed.