Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Central Maine Community College

Central Maine Community College's liberal arts associate degree punches above its weight nationally—graduates earn about $4,400 more than the typical program in this field—but the $15,575 debt load is higher than most associate degree holders carry. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 means students owe roughly half their first-year salary, which is manageable but not exceptional. Within Maine, this program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack for earnings, slightly ahead of the state median but trailing Kennebec Valley by about $800.

The trajectory here matters: graduates see 14% earnings growth over four years, reaching $36,121, which suggests the degree opens doors to advancement rather than leaving them stuck at entry-level wages. For a program serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (34%), these outcomes represent solid economic mobility, particularly compared to the national field where most liberal arts associate degrees lead to earnings in the mid-$20,000s.

The premium you're paying in debt—about $4,500 more than the national average—buys you stronger-than-average earnings both immediately and four years out. If your child is considering an associate degree in liberal arts, this program delivers better returns than four out of five similar programs nationwide. Just ensure they understand they'll need those first few paychecks to start chipping away at debt while the earnings trajectory builds momentum.