Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Chandler-Gilbert's Liberal Arts associate degree produces graduates earning significantly more than their peers nationally—landing in the 90th percentile—while keeping debt remarkably low at just $6,625. That's nearly $7,000 better than both the national and Arizona averages, translating to a debt burden that's just 20% of first-year earnings. Graduates see steady income growth too, with earnings climbing 13% by year four to $38,139.

The caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates were tracked, so these figures might shift with a larger cohort. Still, the pattern is encouraging. Within Arizona's community college landscape, this program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack for earnings—not matching Mesa's impressive $46,084, but outperforming most peers while maintaining that crucial debt advantage. For students who need an affordable stepping stone toward a bachelor's degree or want flexible credentials while working, this program delivers solid value without the financial burden that often comes with higher education.

The low debt paired with above-average earnings makes this a relatively safe bet, even accounting for the small sample. Just recognize that Liberal Arts degrees typically shine brightest as transfer pathways rather than terminal credentials.