Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at College of Southern Nevada

College of Southern Nevada's liberal arts associate degree starts rough but shows surprising momentum. First-year graduates earn just $25,433—below both the national median ($27,248) and notably behind other Nevada programs, ranking in only the 25th percentile statewide. That initial number trails Truckee Meadows Community College by nearly $12,000. However, by year four, earnings jump 43% to $36,414, actually surpassing the state median and approaching Truckee Meadows' outcomes.

The relatively low debt load of $8,368 helps offset the weak starting salary. That's about $2,600 less than the national average for this degree and well below Nevada's typical $11,500. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 means graduates could theoretically pay off loans in four months of gross income, though the real timeline is longer. This matters particularly given that 30% of students receive Pell grants—lower debt means less financial stress during that rocky first year.

The question is whether you're comfortable with your child likely working retail or service jobs initially while building toward something better. If they're using this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree or gaining work experience in Las Vegas's hospitality economy, the trajectory looks reasonable. But as a standalone credential for immediate earnings, this lags behind what Nevada community colleges typically deliver.