Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa's Liberal Arts associate degree outperforms most similar programs nationally, landing in the 84th percentile for earnings, yet sits near the middle of the pack among Colorado schools. With $32,460 in first-year earnings, graduates earn roughly $2,000 more than the typical Colorado program—but they're also leaving with nearly double the debt ($21,000 vs. the state median of $11,913). Several Denver-area community colleges produce graduates earning $35,000-$39,000 with less debt, raising questions about whether a Grand Junction location limits access to higher-paying opportunities.

The earnings trajectory is essentially flat, with graduates making slightly less four years out than they did initially. This suggests the associate degree may serve more as a completion milestone than a career accelerator. However, the debt load remains manageable at 0.65 times first-year earnings—well below problematic levels. The real concern is that fewer than 30 graduates are in this dataset, so these figures could shift significantly with more data.

For families considering this program, recognize you're paying a premium over other Colorado options without clear evidence of better outcomes. If your student needs to stay in Western Colorado, this works—the debt is reasonable and earnings beat national norms. But if Denver-area community colleges are accessible, they're delivering stronger returns at lower cost.