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

Vermont State's liberal arts program produces first-year earnings of $42,000—a figure that outperforms three-quarters of similar programs nationally and lands squarely at the state median for this field. That's notable for a general studies degree, which often struggles in early-career earnings comparisons. Paired with an estimated debt load of $26,662 (derived from national patterns for similar institutions), graduates face manageable payments of roughly $300 monthly on their loans.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 suggests a workable financial start, though parents should recognize the wide variance in Vermont's liberal arts landscape—from Champlain's specialized programs yielding $71,000 to Goddard's more modest outcomes around $19,000. Vermont State sits comfortably in the middle, offering accessible admissions (83%) and serving a meaningful share of Pell-eligible students while delivering competitive results for this credential type.

The practical reality: a liberal arts bachelor's typically opens doors rather than defines careers, so that $42,000 starting point matters less than where graduates go next. The estimated debt won't anchor them, and the earnings performance relative to peers nationwide suggests Vermont State is doing something right with this program—though the lack of reported school-specific data means families should verify these patterns hold through direct conversations with current students and recent alumni.