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

Erie Community College's liberal arts associate's degree lands graduates near the bottom nationally—23rd percentile—but performs right at the middle for New York programs (40th percentile). That's not as contradictory as it sounds: New York's liberal arts associate programs cluster well below the national average, with a median of just $23,613 versus $27,248 nationally. Starting at $23,608 and reaching $25,516 after four years means you're earning what most New York graduates in this field earn, just not what the broader national market delivers.

The debt load of $10,090 is manageable—below both state and national medians—and creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 that graduates can realistically handle. With 38% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves students who need an affordable path to higher education. The challenge is that "affordable" doesn't automatically mean "high-return." Some New York community colleges (Hudson Valley, Westchester) get their liberal arts graduates to $28,000-$30,000, showing it's possible to do better even within the SUNY system.

For students committed to staying in Buffalo and needing a low-cost credential, this won't bury them in debt. But the earnings ceiling is real, and the gap between Erie and top New York community college outcomes suggests that program choice matters even at the associate's level. If your child is exploring liberal arts, understand they're choosing a degree where regional market conditions—not just the institution—heavily influence what's possible financially.