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

Ellsworth's Liberal Arts associate degree starts rough but recovers impressively: first-year earnings of $22,519 trail both Iowa peers ($28,291) and the national median by about $5,000, landing this program in just the 25th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful gap when competing community colleges across Iowa are generating 30-40% higher initial earnings. However, by year four, graduates see their income jump 67% to $37,560—a growth trajectory that outpaces typical associate-level liberal arts programs and suggests graduates are finding their footing after that difficult first year.

The $12,000 debt load is modest and manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 that keeps monthly payments reasonable even during those lean early months. For families concerned about minimizing educational debt—particularly relevant given that 35% of students here receive Pell grants—this is a genuine advantage. The financial pain is concentrated in year one, not stretched across decades of loan payments.

The question is whether students can weather that first year earning $22,519 while they transition into better-paying work. If your child has family support or low living costs during that initial period, the sharp earnings growth makes this workable. But if they need to be financially independent immediately after graduation, stronger-performing Iowa community colleges like Iowa Lakes or Western Iowa Tech deliver $10,000 more right out of the gate—money that matters when you're just starting out.