Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Eastern University

Eastern University's associate program in liberal arts earns above both state and national medians, hitting the 60th percentile among Pennsylvania schools—a respectable showing for a general studies degree. That $28,442 starting salary beats the typical Pennsylvania graduate in this field by $2,500, though it still trails community college options like Community College of Philadelphia by roughly $4,000.

The concerning element here is debt: at $25,187, graduates carry more than double the national median for this program and twice what Pennsylvania students typically borrow. Only 5% of similar programs nationwide leave students with higher debt loads. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.89 isn't catastrophic—graduates can theoretically pay it off within a year of income—that's a heavy burden for an associate degree that might serve as a stepping stone to a bachelor's program rather than a terminal credential.

The strong 37% earnings growth to nearly $39,000 by year four offers some reassurance, but this still creates a difficult choice: why pay private college prices for an associate degree when nearby community colleges deliver similar or better outcomes at a fraction of the cost? Unless Eastern offers unique transfer pathways or support services that justify the premium, families should seriously examine whether $25,000 in debt makes sense for launching a liberal arts education.