Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Baton Rouge Community College

Baton Rouge Community College's Liberal Arts associate degree produces graduates earning right around Louisiana's median for this program—$32,528 four years out—but at a cost that warrants careful consideration. The $17,300 in typical student debt sits slightly below the state average, yet it's still 58% higher than the national median for this credential. With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, this debt burden hits a population that can least afford slow repayment.

The earnings trajectory offers some reassurance: graduates see 14% income growth over their first four years, pushing above Louisiana's median by year four. This program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, meaning it outperforms about half of Louisiana's liberal arts associate programs—though notably trailing schools like McNeese State and Northwestern State by $5,000+ annually. For a two-year degree primarily designed as a stepping stone to a bachelor's program, these numbers are serviceable but not exceptional.

The decision hinges on what comes next. If your child plans to transfer immediately to complete a four-year degree, this path works—the debt is manageable as part of a larger credential. But for those treating this as a terminal degree, understand that a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 means more than half a year's salary going toward loans, with earnings that hover around $32,000. That's a tight financial reality in Baton Rouge's cost of living.