Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Alvin Community College

Alvin Community College's liberal arts associate degree punches well above its weight. Graduates earn $35,306 in their first year—$8,000 more than the typical graduate from this program nationally and significantly above Texas's median of $27,274. Among the 73 Texas schools offering this degree, Alvin ranks in the 80th percentile. That's remarkable for a community college program that typically flies under the radar, placing it just behind much larger institutions like Austin Community College and Howard College.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $8,081, graduates owe about $2,400 less than the national median while earning substantially more. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 means most graduates will clear this debt quickly. Earnings do grow modestly to $36,759 by year four, though the 4% gain suggests graduates may benefit from using this degree as a springboard—whether into the workforce for immediate earning or as preparation for transferring to a four-year institution.

For Texas families looking at community college options, Alvin delivers strong early outcomes at low cost. The combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt makes this one of the better liberal arts associate programs in the state, particularly for students who need to start earning quickly or want a solid academic foundation without heavy borrowing.