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

Washington State University's liberal arts program outperforms most peers while keeping debt manageable—a combination that's surprisingly rare in this field. Graduates earn $40,061 initially and see that climb to $45,000 by year four, placing them in the 68th percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Washington programs. That's roughly $8,700 more than the state median and nearly $4,000 above the national benchmark for similar degrees.

The debt picture strengthens this value case. At $22,881, graduates carry about $4,000 less than the national median, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57—meaning borrowers face just over half a year's salary in debt. While a few private universities like Antioch and Whitworth produce higher earners, they typically come with steeper price tags. WSU delivers competitive outcomes at a lower debt burden, which matters considerably for liberal arts graduates who often need flexibility early in their careers.

The 12% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are finding their footing professionally rather than hitting an early ceiling. For families weighing in-state options, this represents solid middle-of-the-pack performance with below-average debt—a practical foundation for graduates who may pursue additional education or careers where starting salaries don't tell the full story.