Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 997 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$132,096 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
—Modeled economic break-even
−120%Modeled 10-year ROI
$42,789Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$42,789Median reported earnings · year 4
$40,806Average reported earnings · year 5
$11,000Median federal debt
33thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
997Reporting programs
969With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $44,349
- Federal debt
- $9,500
- Reporting programs
- 114
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $42,789
- Federal debt
- $11,000
- Reporting programs
- 997
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $52,545
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 527
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $100,964
- Federal debt
- $28,249
- Reporting programs
- 2
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $67,332
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 35
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $64,895
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 4
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $53,722
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 25
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$39,630National median$42,78975th percentile$46,684
969 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Maria College of Albany$79,2662St. Francis College$74,8673Harvard University$74,1544University of Bridgeport$65,8755American Public University System$63,8956Excelsior University$63,0167Mid-America Christian University$62,4328Columbia Southern University$62,0099University of Massachusetts Global$61,18610Thomas Edison State University$60,803Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Postsecondary Teachers, All OtherSOC 25-1199 · 3 crosswalk linksNO MATCHSOC 99-9999 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maria College of AlbanyAssociate's Degree | Albany, NY | $79,266 | Not available | +195% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | St. Francis CollegeAssociate's Degree | Brooklyn, NY | $74,867 | $16,725 | +137% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | Harvard UniversityAssociate's Degree | Cambridge, MA | $74,154 | $20,126 | +128% | Strong payoff |
| 4 | University of BridgeportAssociate's Degree | Bridgeport, CT | $65,875 | $38,533 | +43% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | American Public University SystemAssociate's Degree | Charles Town, WV | $63,895 | $6,125 | +73% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | Excelsior UniversityAssociate's Degree | Albany, NY | $63,016 | $9,196 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 7 | Mid-America Christian UniversityAssociate's Degree | Oklahoma City, OK | $62,432 | $28,450 | +41% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | Columbia Southern UniversityAssociate's Degree | Orange Beach, AL | $62,009 | $15,923 | +43% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts GlobalAssociate's Degree | Aliso Viejo, CA | $61,186 | $17,495 | +4% | Positive payoff |
| 10 | Thomas Edison State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Trenton, NJ | $60,803 | $16,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 11 | Charter Oak State CollegeAssociate's Degree | New Britain, CT | $60,478 | $15,409 | +27% | Positive payoff |
| 12 | National UniversityAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $60,134 | $10,008 | +11% | Positive payoff |
| 13 | University of La VerneAssociate's Degree | La Verne, CA | $59,398 | Not available | +10% | Positive payoff |
| 14 | University of West FloridaAssociate's Degree | Pensacola, FL | $59,240 | $15,125 | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 15 | University of Alaska FairbanksAssociate's Degree | Fairbanks, AK | $59,114 | $19,563 | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 16 | Austin Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Austin, TX | $58,802 | $15,000 | +34% | Positive payoff |
| 17 | Emory UniversityAssociate's Degree | Atlanta, GA | $57,474 | $11,260 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Emory University-Oxford CollegeAssociate's Degree | Oxford, GA | $57,474 | $11,260 | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | University of Maryland Global CampusAssociate's Degree | Adelphi, MD | $56,881 | $8,250 | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | San Jose City CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Jose, CA | $56,307 | Not available | -9% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Saint Cloud State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Saint Cloud, MN | $56,168 | $18,000 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionAssociate's Degree | Marion, IN | $56,136 | $24,688 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalAssociate's Degree | Marion, IN | $56,136 | $24,688 | -10% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | New Mexico Military InstituteAssociate's Degree | Roswell, NM | $55,247 | $5,500 | +3% | Positive payoff |
| 25 | Brenau UniversityAssociate's Degree | Gainesville, GA | $54,968 | Not available | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Highline CollegeAssociate's Degree | Des Moines, WA | $54,874 | $6,678 | -10% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Shorter UniversityAssociate's Degree | Rome, GA | $54,784 | $22,625 | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend CollegeAssociate's Degree | Erie, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New KensingtonAssociate's Degree | New Kensington, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -24% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State ShenangoAssociate's Degree | Sharon, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-BarreAssociate's Degree | Dallas, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State ScrantonAssociate's Degree | Dunmore, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh ValleyAssociate's Degree | Center Valley, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -24% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AltoonaAssociate's Degree | Altoona, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgAssociate's Degree | Middletown, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -29% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BrandywineAssociate's Degree | Media, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -29% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBoisAssociate's Degree | DuBois, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- EberlyAssociate's Degree | Lemont Furnace, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HazletonAssociate's Degree | Hazleton, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusAssociate's Degree | University Park, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont AltoAssociate's Degree | Mont Alto, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AbingtonAssociate's Degree | Abington, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State SchuylkillAssociate's Degree | Schuylkill Haven, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusAssociate's Degree | University Park, PA | $54,654 | $20,000 | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Northland Pioneer CollegeAssociate's Degree | Holbrook, AZ | $54,462 | $5,759 | -13% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Columbia Basin CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pasco, WA | $54,447 | Not available | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Central Texas CollegeAssociate's Degree | Killeen, TX | $54,183 | $8,400 | -17% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | Empire State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Saratoga Springs, NY | $54,122 | Not available | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Columbia CollegeAssociate's Degree | Columbia, MO | $53,896 | $15,960 | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | College of AlamedaAssociate's Degree | Alameda, CA | $53,647 | Not available | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | North Shore Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Danvers, MA | $53,596 | $9,000 | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | University of Alaska SoutheastAssociate's Degree | Juneau, AK | $53,205 | $10,095 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Northern Virginia Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Annandale, VA | $53,107 | $11,000 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Lee CollegeAssociate's Degree | Baytown, TX | $52,817 | $8,476 | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Estrella Mountain Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Avondale, AZ | $52,747 | $9,500 | -32% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | West Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saratoga, CA | $52,708 | $14,308 | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Bellevue CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bellevue, WA | $52,664 | $9,598 | -32% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | South Seattle CollegeAssociate's Degree | Seattle, WA | $52,632 | Not available | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Southern New Hampshire UniversityAssociate's Degree | Manchester, NH | $52,547 | $19,592 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Upper Iowa UniversityAssociate's Degree | Fayette, IA | $52,322 | $23,093 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | Weber State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Ogden, UT | $52,252 | $13,054 | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | Troy UniversityAssociate's Degree | Troy, AL | $52,248 | $27,504 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | James A. Rhodes State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lima, OH | $52,236 | Not available | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | Saint Leo UniversityAssociate's Degree | Saint Leo, FL | $52,156 | $23,687 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | Trident Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Charleston, SC | $51,912 | $16,001 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | Rio Salado CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tempe, AZ | $51,899 | $16,750 | -35% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | Community College of AuroraAssociate's Degree | Aurora, CO | $51,823 | $12,250 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | Vincennes UniversityAssociate's Degree | Vincennes, IN | $51,808 | $12,157 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | Bismarck State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bismarck, ND | $51,767 | $12,000 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | Contra Costa CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Pablo, CA | $51,699 | $11,079 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | College of the CanyonsAssociate's Degree | Santa Clarita, CA | $51,561 | $7,750 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Elgin Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Elgin, IL | $51,556 | $8,380 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | Valley Forge Military CollegeAssociate's Degree | Wayne, PA | $51,534 | Not available | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | Marion Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Marion, OH | $51,396 | $12,812 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | University of Mount OliveAssociate's Degree | Mount Olive, NC | $51,374 | $27,562 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | Collin County Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | McKinney, TX | $51,130 | $9,250 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | Lewis-Clark State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lewiston, ID | $51,092 | $17,500 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | College of DuPageAssociate's Degree | Glen Ellyn, IL | $51,089 | $9,500 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Madison Area Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Madison, WI | $50,870 | $14,000 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Winona State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Winona, MN | $50,823 | $13,062 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Inver Hills Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Inver Grove Heights, MN | $50,707 | $14,575 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | Baltimore City Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $50,635 | $8,850 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | Bemidji State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Bemidji, MN | $50,528 | Not available | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | Macomb Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Warren, MI | $50,409 | $8,250 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Community College of DenverAssociate's Degree | Denver, CO | $50,401 | $14,445 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Lake Superior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Duluth, MN | $50,382 | $13,000 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | Boise State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Boise, ID | $50,335 | $15,894 | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | SUNY Westchester Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Valhalla, NY | $50,312 | $8,764 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | Oklahoma Panhandle State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Goodwell, OK | $50,227 | $17,291 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | Century CollegeAssociate's Degree | White Bear Lake, MN | $50,145 | $14,264 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | Howard CollegeAssociate's Degree | Big Spring, TX | $50,103 | $14,233 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | Southwest College for the DeafAssociate's Degree | Big Spring, TX | $50,103 | $14,233 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | Clovis Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fresno, CA | $50,095 | Not available | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | William Rainey Harper CollegeAssociate's Degree | Palatine, IL | $50,088 | $7,500 | -55% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | Prince George's Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Largo, MD | $49,963 | $13,499 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | Williston State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Williston, ND | $49,878 | $8,250 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | St Cloud Technical and Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saint Cloud, MN | $49,858 | $15,111 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | Solano Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fairfield, CA | $49,817 | Not available | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | Eastern Maine Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bangor, ME | $49,780 | $12,402 | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | East Los Angeles CollegeAssociate's Degree | Monterey Park, CA | $49,726 | $6,685 | -58% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.