Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Black River Technical College

Black River Technical College graduates start strong, earning $33,747 in their first year—substantially above both national and Arkansas medians for liberal arts associate degrees. That initial performance places them in the 90th percentile nationally. However, the trajectory tells a more complicated story: earnings drop to $27,330 by year four, a 19% decline that suggests many graduates may be working jobs that don't require their degree or transitioning to different career paths entirely.

The debt picture offers some reassurance. At $10,428, it's right at Arkansas's median and creates a manageable 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income. For a program serving a significant population of Pell grant recipients, this isn't excessive—especially compared to what you'd pay for similar credentials elsewhere. The challenge isn't the cost of entry; it's whether the credential maintains its value over time.

For parents, the decision hinges on what comes next. If your child plans to transfer to a four-year institution, this program offers an affordable on-ramp with decent initial employment as a fallback. But if this associate degree is the endpoint, understand that you're looking at earnings that decline rather than grow in the critical early career years, settling below $30,000 by year four despite that promising start.