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

The $39,961 in debt at graduation is troubling—not because it's astronomical, but because it sits right at the edge of what liberal arts graduates can reasonably manage. Similar programs across Ohio suggest first-year earnings around $40,556, creating a nearly 1:1 debt-to-income ratio. That's tight. While this debt level ranks favorably in the 5th percentile nationally for liberal arts programs, that distinction matters less than the practical challenge: monthly loan payments will likely consume 10-12% of take-home pay, leaving little cushion for unexpected expenses or urban living costs in Toledo.

What makes this estimate particularly uncertain is the wide variation among Ohio programs with actual reported data. Xavier grads earn $47,000+ while Kent State's regional campuses cluster around $41,000—a $6,000 spread that dramatically changes the financial picture. Liberal arts degrees depend heavily on how students leverage them post-graduation, and Toledo's 95% admission rate suggests a broad student body with varying levels of career preparation support.

The practical question: can your child turn this degree into work that justifies nearly $40,000 in debt? At comparable programs statewide, about half of graduates do reasonably well, but outcomes vary wildly based on internships, networking, and career focus. Unless your child has a clear plan for applying this degree—teaching certification, graduate school, or a specific career track—the tight debt-to-earnings margin leaves little room for the "figuring it out" phase many liberal arts grads need.