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

A general studies degree from Western Washington might seem like a safe choice at an accessible public university, but the earnings trajectory tells a more complicated story. Similar programs across Washington suggest first-year graduates earn around $35,400—essentially the state median for this field—while this program's actual reported earnings four years out reach $45,200. That's respectable growth, yet still trails specialized liberal arts programs at schools like Antioch Seattle and Whitworth, where graduates start closer to $46,500.

The financial picture looks manageable on paper. With estimated debt around $16,300 based on comparable WWU programs, graduates would owe roughly 46 cents for every dollar earned in year one—well below concerning thresholds and significantly better than the $27,000 national median for similar degrees. However, these figures are drawn from peer programs rather than this specific cohort's outcomes, meaning actual results could vary. The four-year earnings bump suggests the degree does open doors over time, though whether that trajectory justifies the initial income plateau depends heavily on your student's career plans and alternative paths available.

For families considering this route, the key question isn't whether WWU offers decent value—it likely does for in-state students with relatively modest debt. It's whether a general studies degree provides enough career focus to compete with graduates from more targeted programs that are already outearning it by year four.