Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Dutchess Community College

Dutchess Community College's liberal arts associate degree starts discouragingly low at $22,095 but delivers something unusual: 52% earnings growth over four years, reaching $33,630. That trajectory matters more than the slow start. While this program ranks in just the 16th percentile nationally, it sits at the 40th percentile among New York schools—roughly middle-of-the-pack for in-state options, where graduates face the region's high cost of living.

The $11,000 debt load equals both the state and national median, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.5 in year one that improves significantly as earnings climb. The real question is whether this growth trajectory continues or plateaus. For students planning to transfer to a four-year institution—often the point of a liberal arts associate degree—these numbers represent just the beginning. For those entering the workforce directly, understand that you're starting well below living wages in the Hudson Valley area, though conditions improve notably by year four.

This makes more sense as a stepping stone than a destination credential, particularly when compared to top-performing New York programs like Maria College ($60,857) or even nearby Hudson Valley Community College ($28,464). The low starting salary demands either family support during those early years or a clear transfer plan to build on this foundation.