Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Collin County Community College District
Associate's Degree
Analysis
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
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Collin County Community College District graduates compare to all programs nationally
Collin County Community College District graduates earn $32k, placing them in the 82th percentile of all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
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)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collin County Community College District | $32,114 | $40,367 | $9,250 | 0.29 |
| Central Texas College | $39,731 | $40,293 | $8,400 | 0.21 |
| Austin Community College District | $38,436 | $47,311 | $15,000 | 0.39 |
| Howard College | $36,240 | $35,922 | $14,233 | 0.39 |
| Southwest College for the Deaf | $36,240 | $35,922 | $14,233 | 0.39 |
| Alvin Community College | $35,306 | $36,759 | $8,081 | 0.23 |
| National Median | $27,248 | — | $10,950 | 0.40 |
Other Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs in Texas
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Texas College Killeen | $3,150 | $39,731 | $8,400 |
| Austin Community College District Austin | $2,550 | $38,436 | $15,000 |
| Howard College Big Spring | $2,766 | $36,240 | $14,233 |
| Southwest College for the Deaf Big Spring | $2,766 | $36,240 | $14,233 |
| Alvin Community College Alvin | $1,834 | $35,306 | $8,081 |
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.