Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Utah State University

Utah State's liberal arts program starts rough but tells an unusual story through earnings growth. That $31,049 first-year salary sits below both the state median ($37,839) and national average ($36,340), ranking in just the 25th percentile among Utah programs. But the 38% earnings jump to $42,982 by year four is worth noting—graduates who stick it out see meaningful salary progression that outpaces typical liberal arts trajectories.

The debt picture offers some relief: $20,917 is manageable compared to the $27,000 national median, though it still represents two-thirds of that challenging first-year income. This matters because those early years—when you're making loan payments on an entry-level salary—are when families feel the financial squeeze most acutely. With Utah Valley graduates from this same major earning $44,366 right out of the gate, the question becomes whether waiting for year-four earnings growth is worth the struggle of those initial years at lower pay.

For families banking on immediate post-graduation income, this program's slow start is a real consideration. But if your student has financial flexibility for those first few years—whether through family support, low living costs, or minimal debt—the growth trajectory suggests the degree eventually delivers reasonable value. Just know they'll likely be grinding through below-average earnings initially while peers at other Utah schools hit their stride faster.