Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Cloud County Community College

Cloud County's Liberal Arts associate degree starts at just $21,686 in first-year earnings—the 25th percentile among Kansas programs and well below both the state median ($26,130) and national benchmark ($27,248). The debt load of $8,250 is relatively manageable, but you're still borrowing nearly 40% of that first year's income to start at the bottom quarter of Kansas community college outcomes.

The silver lining is significant earnings growth: graduates see incomes jump 57% to nearly $34,000 by year four, suggesting these students find their footing in the job market over time. However, they're starting from such a low base that even this improvement barely catches them up to where typical graduates from this program begin. Compare this trajectory to Johnson County or Butler Community College, where students earn $29,000+ right out of the gate.

For an associate degree in liberal arts—often used as a springboard to a bachelor's—Cloud County leaves graduates treading water financially in those critical first years. If your child plans to transfer and complete a four-year degree quickly, the modest debt might not matter much. But if they'll need to work full-time while continuing their education, starting $5,000 below the Kansas median creates unnecessary financial pressure during an already challenging transition period.