Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College

Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College's associate degree in liberal arts positions students slightly ahead of both national and West Virginia benchmarks, though the small graduating class (under 30 students) means these figures should be interpreted carefully. At $28,134 first-year earnings, graduates out-earn the typical associate-level liberal arts graduate nationally by about $900 and beat the West Virginia median by nearly $1,000—landing in the 60th percentile statewide.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $11,500, translating to a 0.41 ratio with first-year earnings. That's manageable compared to many programs at this level, though it's worth noting that some in-state alternatives like West Virginia University at Parkersburg show significantly higher earnings potential ($33,409). The gap between Eastern West Virginia and top performers in the state is substantial—American Public University System graduates earn nearly double at $52,108, though that likely reflects different student populations and career paths.

For families in rural West Virginia seeking an accessible entry point to higher education, this program delivers modest but steady results. The debt burden won't be crushing, and outcomes edge past state averages. Just understand that this is a stepping stone credential: those higher earnings typically come either from transferring to complete a bachelor's degree or from gaining specific career skills elsewhere. The limited sample size means your child's experience could vary significantly from these medians.