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

Arapahoe Community College's general studies associate program earns graduates $38,592 in their first year—nearly $11,000 more than the national median and $8,000 above Colorado's average for this degree. Among the 19 Colorado schools offering this program, it ranks in the 80th percentile for earnings, trailing only Community College of Aurora while beating larger institutions like Colorado Mesa University.

The debt picture deserves attention, though. At $15,125, graduates carry about $3,200 more debt than the Colorado median for this program. That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 means graduates earn enough to keep debt manageable—they're making roughly 2.5 times what they owe, which is reasonable territory. Nationally, this program sits in the 17th percentile for debt, meaning 83% of similar programs saddle students with more.

For parents comparing Colorado community colleges, this program delivers stronger initial earnings than most alternatives, with steady 8% growth through year four reaching $41,788. The higher debt reflects a premium price tag, but the earnings advantage appears to justify it. If your student needs an affordable two-year degree that actually translates to above-average income—whether as a final credential or a transfer foundation—this program performs.