Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home manages to outperform most liberal arts associate programs in the state while keeping debt notably lower than national averages. At $28,907 in first-year earnings, graduates here rank in the 60th percentile among Arkansas programs—trailing only a few standout schools like Arkansas Tech and Black River Technical. More importantly, the median debt of $13,750 sits below the state average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 that most community college students would consider manageable.

The challenge is modest growth: earnings inch up just 4% over four years to $30,110, suggesting these associate degrees primarily open doors to entry-level positions rather than careers with clear advancement paths. For students planning to transfer to a four-year program, this matters less—the associate degree becomes a stepping stone. But for those entering the workforce directly, they should expect steady rather than ascending incomes. That said, with 43% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a population where immediate employment at $29,000 represents meaningful economic mobility, even without dramatic salary progression. The low debt burden means graduates aren't financially trapped if they decide to pursue additional education later.