Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Williams Baptist University

Williams Baptist University's liberal arts program graduates carry just $18,933 in debt—roughly $8,000 less than Arkansas peers and $8,000 below the national median for these programs. That's genuinely impressive. The challenge is what graduates earn: $31,309 puts them below the Arkansas median and in the 24th percentile nationally. Among Arkansas liberal arts programs, this ranks 40th percentile—roughly middle of the pack within the state, but trailing schools like Arkansas State and UA-Little Rock by about $2,500 annually.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 is manageable, meaning graduates carry about seven months of salary in debt. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, this low-debt model clearly matters for the families attending. The smaller debt burden partially offsets the lower earnings, though the $5,000 annual gap versus the state median translates to real money over time—roughly $200,000 less over a 40-year career compared to graduates from top Arkansas programs.

The limited sample size here means a few data points swing the numbers significantly. For families prioritizing affordability and a Christian environment, Williams delivers on the debt side. Just recognize that career earnings start lower than most alternatives, including larger public universities in Arkansas that offer similar tuition rates for in-state students.