Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland State's Associate in Liberal Arts starts weaker than nearly every comparable program in Tennessee—only the 10th percentile statewide—with first-year graduates earning just $18,249. That's roughly $8,000 below the Tennessee median for this degree and less than two-thirds of what graduates earn at Nashville State or Southwest Tennessee Community College. Among 33 Tennessee schools offering this program, Cleveland State ranks near the bottom.

The 82% earnings jump by year four brings graduates to $33,201, which actually exceeds both state and national benchmarks. This suggests graduates may be using the associate degree as a stepping stone—perhaps transferring to complete bachelor's degrees or gaining work experience that pays off over time. The $10,625 in debt is reasonable and typical for this field.

However, the small sample size here is crucial: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing dramatically year to year. One unusually successful or struggling cohort can skew everything. For a liberal arts associate degree in Tennessee, other community colleges show more consistent results right out of the gate. If your child plans to work immediately after graduation, programs at Nashville State or Southwest Tennessee offer stronger starting positions with similar debt loads.