Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of the Virgin Islands

The University of the Virgin Islands serves a student population where nearly half qualify for Pell grants, and this liberal arts bachelor's comes with an estimated $26,662 in debt—close to the national median for these programs. The estimated first-year earnings of $36,340 also mirror the national figure exactly, suggesting typical outcomes for this field. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73 is manageable compared to many bachelor's programs, though it's worth noting these estimates come from similar liberal arts programs nationwide rather than actual outcomes from UVI graduates.

The real question is what happens after that first year. Liberal arts degrees often show gradual earnings growth as graduates find their footing across various career paths, but the Virgin Islands' island economy may offer different opportunities than the mainland programs these estimates draw from. The territory's job market, cost of living, and career pathways could significantly alter the financial picture—either direction.

For families considering UVI, the estimated numbers suggest a debt load that won't be crushing, but you're essentially betting on broad transferable skills in a specific geographic context. If your child plans to remain in the Virgin Islands or has strong local connections, that matters more than these nationwide estimates can capture. If they're uncertain about staying, understand you're working with borrowed data from very different labor markets.