Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at American Public University System

American Public University System's online associate's degree defies every expectation about general studies programs. Graduates earn $52,108 their first year—nearly double both the national median ($27,248) and the West Virginia median ($27,176) for this degree. That places it at the 95th percentile nationwide and statewide, outearning even Mountwest Community and Technical College's program by $8,000. With just $6,125 in typical debt, students face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.12, meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in less than two months of work.

This unusual performance likely reflects APUS's student population—working adults who are already employed when they enroll, using the degree for career advancement rather than entry-level employment. The 11% earnings growth over four years and the fact that only 25% of students receive Pell grants suggest this program serves a different demographic than typical community college programs. That's actually good news for students in similar situations: if your child is a working adult looking to formalize their education while staying employed, this represents exceptional value.

For traditional high school graduates seeking their first career path, interpret these numbers cautiously. You're seeing the earnings of established workers who layered a degree onto existing careers, not students starting from zero. Still, the minimal debt makes this a low-risk option even if your child doesn't see the same earnings trajectory.