Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Cisco College

The $17,820 first-year earnings from Cisco College's general studies associate's program are alarmingly low—landing in just the 10th percentile among similar Texas programs. To put that in perspective, the typical Texas graduate from this type of program earns $27,274, more than 50% higher. Top-performing Texas community colleges like Central Texas College and Austin Community College see graduates earning close to $40,000, more than double what Cisco graduates report.

The modest $10,875 debt load looks reasonable on paper, but paired with such limited earnings, it creates a significant burden. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 means graduates owe more than half their annual salary, making this one of the toughest financial starts among Texas community college programs. While a small sample size (under 30 graduates) suggests these numbers could be volatile, the gap between Cisco's outcomes and both state and national benchmarks is too wide to dismiss.

For families considering this program, the data suggests looking at alternative options. If staying local to Cisco is essential, students should have a clear plan for immediate transfer to a four-year institution or enter with specific career training in mind rather than general studies. Otherwise, exploring nearby community colleges with stronger track records would likely yield better returns on the investment.