Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Clinton Community College

Clinton Community College's Liberal Arts program sits in an interesting sweet spot: while it falls below national averages, it actually outperforms most New York programs in this field, landing in the 60th percentile statewide. That matters because NY students typically pay significantly less for in-state tuition, making this a practical choice for local families. First-year earnings of $25,319 trail the national median by about $2,000, but they exceed what graduates earn at most other NY community colleges offering this degree. The debt load of $11,521 translates to a manageable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates owe less than half of what they'll earn in their first year.

The 21% earnings bump from year one to year four (reaching $30,569) suggests graduates are gaining traction in the job market, though they're still earning less than peers at top-performing NY programs like Touro or SUNY Westchester. For families focused on keeping debt low while staying in-state, this program delivers on the community college promise: affordable access to a credential that opens doors, even if it won't match the earning power of selective four-year institutions.

The practical takeaway: This works as an affordable stepping stone—either into the workforce or toward transferring to complete a bachelor's degree—but families should recognize it won't immediately lead to high earnings on its own.