Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Bishop State Community College

Bishop State's general studies associate program starts graduates at just $22,764—below both the Alabama median ($24,375) and substantially under the national median ($27,248). However, the story improves considerably: by year four, earnings jump 34% to $30,552, which matches the national 75th percentile. This trajectory suggests graduates are using the degree as intended—as a stepping stone to better opportunities—rather than as a terminal credential.

The debt load of $8,355 is manageable, coming in lower than both state and national medians. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, first-year graduates can realistically pay this off even on their initial modest salaries. The 40th percentile ranking among Alabama programs is middle-of-the-pack, which makes sense for a community college serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (42%) who need an affordable entry point to higher education.

The key question is whether your student plans to continue their education or enter the workforce immediately. The strong earnings growth suggests those who leverage this degree into further study or stable employment see real benefits. But competing schools like Jefferson State and Chattahoochee Valley manage similar debt levels while delivering higher year-one earnings, so Bishop State isn't the automatic choice even among Alabama community colleges. If your student needs to work full-time after graduation, look closely at those alternatives.