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

Coconino Community College's Liberal Arts program starts slow but shows real momentum, with earnings jumping 33% from $28,000 to $37,000 over four years. That growth rate matters more than you might expect for an associate degree, where many programs plateau quickly. The modest $12,750 debt load—just 46% of first-year earnings—makes this trajectory more meaningful, giving graduates room to build careers without crushing payments.

The Arizona comparison reveals a clear tradeoff. At the 40th percentile statewide, Coconino trails programs like Mesa Community College and Yavapai College by significant margins. But the debt here runs 23% higher than the state median, which partially explains why some families choose alternatives. Those top-performing programs demonstrate that location and local job markets matter enormously for general studies graduates—Flagstaff's economy simply may not generate the same entry-level opportunities as Phoenix or Prescott.

If your student thrives in Flagstaff's mountain college town or values small-class environments, the earnings growth pattern and manageable debt make this workable. But if staying in Arizona is the plan, compare carefully against community colleges in your specific metro area. The program works best for students who understand they're trading lower starting pay for reasonable debt and solid upward mobility in their twenties.