Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Collin County Community College District
Associate's Degree
collin.eduAnalysis
Collin County Community College's liberal arts program significantly outperforms expectations, ranking in the 82nd percentile nationally—well above the typical community college associate degree outcome. Graduates start at $32,114, which beats the national median for this program by nearly $5,000 and exceeds even the 75th percentile benchmark. Within Texas, the program sits comfortably in the 60th percentile, though it trails the state's top performers by several thousand dollars.
The financial fundamentals are solid: graduates carry just $9,250 in debt (below both state and national medians) while earning enough to maintain a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. Perhaps most encouraging, earnings grow 26% over four years to $40,367, suggesting graduates successfully leverage their associate degrees as stepping stones to better opportunities or bachelor's degree completion.
For families considering this path, Collin County offers a low-risk way to start college with strong earning potential and minimal debt burden. The program clearly works as intended—providing transferable credits and workforce skills that translate to above-average outcomes compared to similar programs nationwide.
Where Collin County Community College District Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Collin County Community College District graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collin County Community College District | $32,114 | $40,367 | +26% |
| Austin Community College District | $38,436 | $47,311 | +23% |
| Brazosport College | $26,792 | $43,542 | +63% |
| Odessa College | $28,193 | $43,149 | +53% |
| Dallas College | $33,060 | $40,431 | +22% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities associates's programs at peer institutions in Texas (73 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Collin County Community College DistrictMcKinney | $1,864 | $32,114 | $40,367 | $9,250 | 0.29 |
 Central Texas CollegeKilleen | $3,150 | $39,731 | $40,293 | $8,400 | 0.21 |
 Austin Community College DistrictAustin | $2,550 | $38,436 | $47,311 | $15,000 | 0.39 |
 Howard CollegeBig Spring | $2,766 | $36,240 | $35,922 | $14,233 | 0.39 |
| Southwest College for the DeafBig Spring | $2,766 | $36,240 | $35,922 | $14,233 | 0.39 |
 Alvin Community CollegeAlvin | $1,834 | $35,306 | $36,759 | $8,081 | 0.23 |
| National Median | — | $27,248 | — | $10,950 | 0.40 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Collin County Community College District, approximately 16% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 391 graduates with reported earnings and 853 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.