Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Community College of Denver

Community College of Denver's Liberal Arts associate degree offers something most general studies programs don't: substantial earning growth after graduation. While first-year earnings of $29,078 sit below the Colorado median for this program, graduates see a 43% jump to $41,633 by year four—transforming what starts as a modest outcome into solid earning potential. The real win here is the debt picture: at $14,445, it's well below both state and national medians, with a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio that graduates can realistically handle even in that first year.

The catch is timing and trajectory. Starting in the 40th percentile among Colorado programs means many local alternatives deliver stronger immediate results—Aurora and Arapahoe Community Colleges both start graduates near $39,000. But CCD's earnings growth pattern suggests graduates are using this degree as intended: a stepping stone that opens doors to better opportunities over time, whether through transfer to four-year institutions or career advancement.

For families treating this as a two-year investment before transferring or entering the workforce with room to grow, the combination of low debt and strong earning progression makes sense. Just understand you're banking on that growth curve rather than immediate earning power—and for a general studies degree that costs less than $15,000, that's a reasonable bet.