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

Albany State's associate program in liberal arts consistently outperforms other Georgia schools in the same field, landing at the 60th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $28,576—well above the state's median of $24,817. That's comparable to what graduates earn from Georgia State's Perimeter College, the top-performing program in the state. The relatively low debt of $20,149 (5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs burden students with more) creates a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio that students can reasonably handle.

The modest 5% earnings growth over four years means graduates shouldn't expect dramatic salary increases, but the solid foundation matters more here. For a school where 65% of students receive Pell grants, these outcomes represent real economic mobility: students graduate with below-average debt and above-average earnings compared to their Georgia peers. The moderate sample size suggests these results are reasonably reliable, though not as robust as data from larger programs.

For families considering community college or an affordable associate degree path, this program delivers competitive returns without the debt burden that often accompanies four-year degrees. Your child would graduate earning more than most Georgia liberal arts associate graduates while owing considerably less than the national average.