Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Utah
Bachelor's Degree
utah.eduAnalysis
Based on similar liberal arts programs in Utah, this degree path suggests first-year earnings around $38,000 against roughly $21,000 in debt—a ratio that's actually more favorable than the national median for these programs. That's the baseline, but it's worth noting that other Utah schools with actual reported data show their liberal arts graduates earning anywhere from $31,000 to $44,000, highlighting how much individual program quality and student outcomes can vary even within the same field and state.
The estimated debt load here sits about $6,000 below the national median for liberal arts degrees, which is significant over a 10-year repayment period. Peer programs in Utah suggest you're looking at manageable monthly payments relative to first-year income, though liberal arts degrees generally require strategic career planning since the major itself doesn't point to a specific profession. The University of Utah's stronger academic profile compared to most Utah publics (1231 average SAT) might translate to better networking and career services, factors that matter enormously for liberal arts graduates.
The limitation of working with estimated rather than school-specific data is real here. If this program's actual outcomes lean toward the higher end seen at Utah Valley or Weber State, it could be a solid investment. If they trend toward Utah State's reported figure, that's a tougher proposition. Request placement data and alumni employment outcomes directly from the department before committing.
Where University of Utah Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Utah
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Utah (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,315 | $37,839* | — | $21,139* | — | |
| $6,270 | $44,366* | $49,899 | $21,458* | 0.48 | |
| $6,391 | $39,864* | $51,593 | $21,361* | 0.54 | |
| $6,770 | $35,814* | $32,839 | $16,001* | 0.45 | |
| $9,228 | $31,049* | $42,982 | $20,917* | 0.67 | |
| National Median | — | $36,340* | — | $27,000* | 0.74 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Utah, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in UT. Actual outcomes may vary.