Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Bristol Community College

Bristol Community College's Liberal Arts program significantly outperforms most competitors nationwide, placing graduates in the 78th percentile for earnings while keeping debt extraordinarily low at just $8,250. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 means graduates owe roughly three months' salary—well below the threshold that typically causes financial stress. With 43% of students on Pell grants, this accessibility matters: the program serves working-class students in Fall River without saddling them with burdensome debt.

The Massachusetts picture is more complex. Bristol's graduates earn exactly the state median ($31,206), landing in the 60th percentile among the state's 30 similar programs. Elite institutions like Harvard ($40,995) and larger community colleges like Bunker Hill ($38,348) do pull ahead, but Bristol maintains its advantage in debt management—its $8,250 median sits below the state's $9,375 average. The modest 6% earnings growth to year four suggests graduates quickly find their income level rather than climbing steadily, which is typical for associate's degree holders entering stable but limited-mobility jobs.

For families weighing community college options in southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol delivers solid value: above-average national outcomes at below-average cost. The program won't match Boston-area community colleges for earning power, but it provides accessible education that pays for itself within months rather than years.