Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Arkansas Northeastern College

The extremely small sample size here makes any conclusions tentative, but the available data reveals a troubling pattern: graduates earn roughly $3,400 less than the typical Arkansas associate degree holder in this field, placing them in just the 40th percentile statewide. More concerning, they're earning $10,000+ less annually than graduates from comparable Arkansas programs like Black River Technical College or NorthWest Arkansas Community College. At $23,835 a year, these earnings barely exceed minimum wage work.

The debt picture offers some relief—at $6,440, it's manageable and well below both state and national medians. That low debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 means graduates should be able to pay off loans relatively quickly despite the modest earnings. However, having low debt softens but doesn't solve the core issue: these earnings suggest the program isn't effectively positioning students for better-paying opportunities.

If your child is considering this program, understand that an associate degree in general studies often functions as a stepping stone rather than a terminal credential. The low earnings may reflect students working entry-level jobs while planning to transfer to a four-year institution. If that's the goal, ensure credits will transfer smoothly to your target schools. If your child plans to enter the workforce directly after graduation, the earnings data suggests looking at more career-focused programs or alternative Arkansas community colleges with stronger placement outcomes.