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

A general studies degree from Ole Miss costs about $4,000 less in debt than the Mississippi average, which matters when you're looking at earnings in the mid-$30,000s. This program lands squarely in the middle of the state pack—60th percentile among Mississippi schools—though it trails Jackson State by roughly $4,600 annually. The 0.68 debt ratio is manageable, meaning graduates owe less than nine months of their first year's salary.

The troubling part is what happens after that first job: earnings actually slip slightly by year four rather than growing. For a degree from Mississippi's flagship university, flat earnings trajectory raises questions about career advancement. Liberal arts graduates typically need a clear path into specific careers—nonprofit management, education, communications—to see their income rise over time. Without that direction, you're essentially looking at $36,000-$37,000 jobs throughout your twenties.

The relatively low debt makes this less risky than many general studies programs nationally, but parents should recognize they're paying for optionality rather than a direct career pipeline. If your child has a specific graduate program or professional goal in mind, this can work as a foundation. If they're choosing liberal arts because they're undecided, that $25,000 in debt buys four more years to figure things out—but the clock on career clarity starts ticking the moment they graduate.