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

The $35,000 starting salary at Westfield State sits below both the Massachusetts median ($39,140) and the national average for liberal arts programs—placing it in the 40th percentile statewide. That gap of roughly $4,000 matters in a state where cost of living runs high, and while earnings do grow to $43,355 by year four (a solid 24% increase), graduates still trail their in-state peers at similar institutions like Worcester State by about $600 annually.

The debt load of $27,000 is manageable in absolute terms—equal to the national median—but the context changes when you consider Massachusetts students could access comparable or better outcomes at similar price points elsewhere in the state. The 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it doesn't offer the kind of financial cushion many families hope for when investing in a four-year degree.

For families considering Westfield State's liberal arts program, the question becomes whether the 81% admission rate and accessible price point outweigh the below-average earnings trajectory. If your student has stronger in-state options (particularly Worcester State, which shows better outcomes at similar debt levels), those merit serious consideration. This program works for students who need flexibility and access, but it's not positioning graduates for standout financial outcomes in the Massachusetts market.