Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Cape Fear Community College

Cape Fear Community College's Liberal Arts associate degree quietly outperforms most North Carolina community colleges, with graduates earning $30,056 in their first year—well above both the state median ($26,838) and national median ($27,248). At the 60th percentile statewide, this program falls in the middle tier of North Carolina options, trailing only a handful of community colleges but demonstrating respectable outcomes for a general studies degree. The 15% earnings growth to $34,615 by year four suggests graduates are finding footholds in the job market, even without specialized credentials.

The debt picture reinforces this program's value: $8,734 is manageable for any earnings level, translating to just 29 cents of debt for every dollar earned in the first year. That's substantially lower than the typical graduate in this field carries nationally ($10,950), making repayment straightforward even on entry-level wages. For families worried about borrowing for a general associate degree, these numbers should provide some reassurance.

For students planning to transfer to a four-year university, this is a solid foundation at minimal cost. For those entering the workforce directly, understand that you're looking at earnings in the low-to-mid thirties—enough to get by in Wilmington but not prosperity. The program does what it's designed to do: provide affordable general education with below-average debt and slightly above-average outcomes.