Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at College of Eastern Idaho

The small sample size here demands caution, but the available numbers suggest College of Eastern Idaho delivers reasonable value for an associate's in liberal arts. At $29,507 in first-year earnings, graduates are earning $2,200 more than the national median for this program and landing near Idaho's middle for this degree. The debt load of $14,038 sits right at the state median, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48—meaning students would need to allocate less than half their first-year income to eliminate the debt entirely.

For context, this program ranks fourth among Idaho's 10 schools offering this degree. Boise State leads at $40,886, but that comes with a four-year price tag. Among community colleges, College of Western Idaho edges ahead by about $900 in first-year earnings. The real question is whether an associate's in liberal arts serves as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree or an endpoint—these numbers work if it's bridging to higher credentials, but the $29,507 ceiling may feel limiting as a final destination.

Given the manageable debt and earnings that beat national averages, this represents a low-risk entry point for students still figuring out their academic direction. Just recognize that with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these outcomes could shift substantially with future cohorts.