Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College's liberal arts program delivers earnings that decisively beat the national average—graduates earn $44,615 in their first year, placing them in the 87th percentile nationally for this degree. That's roughly $8,000 more than the typical liberal arts graduate nationwide. Within Connecticut, however, the picture changes: these earnings sit near the state median, in the 60th percentile. Connecticut's liberal arts programs generally produce stronger outcomes than the national average, and Charter Oak is holding its own rather than leading the pack.

The $25,000 median debt sits comfortably below the debt-to-earnings ratio threshold that makes repayment difficult—you'd need to earn less than $45,000 for that debt level to become burdensome, and graduates here clear that mark immediately. Earnings also grow steadily, reaching nearly $51,000 by year four. For a program serving a significant population of Pell recipients (38%), these outcomes represent solid economic mobility.

The reality for parents: this is a competent, affordable option that performs well nationally but doesn't stand out among Connecticut's stronger-than-average liberal arts programs. If your student needs flexibility (Charter Oak specializes in adult learners and transfer students) and wants to keep debt manageable, this delivers reliable middle-class earnings. Just don't expect the premium outcomes that Yale commands or assume Connecticut location alone guarantees exceptional returns.