Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Anne Arundel Community College

Anne Arundel Community College's Liberal Arts associate program shows what's both promising and challenging about general studies degrees: starting salaries lag behind ($25,826 versus the Maryland median of $26,448), but earnings jump 56% by year four to reach $40,247. That's a significant improvement trajectory, though it requires patience through those early lean years. The $9,500 in typical debt is manageable—you're looking at roughly a third of first-year earnings, which is a reasonable burden even during the slower start.

The context matters here: this program ranks right at the Maryland median (40th percentile), meaning it's neither a standout nor a laggard among the state's 18 similar programs. Compare that to Baltimore City Community College's grads who start at $41,120, and the gap is substantial. For a community college associate degree, though, the debt load stays contained while providing a foundation that clearly leads somewhere—that four-year salary nearly matches what some Maryland programs deliver right out of the gate.

The bottom line for parents: this is a viable stepping stone if your child has a plan for what comes next, whether that's transferring to a four-year school or entering a career track where experience drives earnings growth. The modest debt won't become an anchor, and the earnings trajectory suggests graduates find their footing. Just understand you're financing a longer runway, not an immediate payoff.