Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Bunker Hill Community College

Bunker Hill Community College's liberal arts associate degree outperforms 95% of similar programs nationwide, with first-year earnings of $38,348—a remarkable $11,000 above the national median for these degrees. That puts it nearly on par with Harvard's liberal arts program ($40,995) and ahead of most other Massachusetts community colleges. The debt load is manageable at $9,585, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.25, meaning graduates earn back their debt in about three months of work.

Within Massachusetts, this program ranks in the 60th percentile—still solid, but the state context reveals these are relatively strong outcomes across the board for Bay State liberal arts programs. What's particularly encouraging is the earnings trajectory: graduates see 14% income growth by year four, reaching $43,772. For a community college serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (38%), these are impressive economic mobility outcomes.

The value proposition here is clear: this is one of the best-performing liberal arts associate programs in the country, offering strong immediate earnings at minimal cost. Parents worried about the practicality of a liberal arts degree should find reassurance in Bunker Hill's track record—graduates here are earning well above typical associate-level wages and carrying debt they can reasonably manage.