Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville Technical Community College's Liberal Arts associate's degree significantly outperforms expectations for this credential, landing in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile in North Carolina—a notable achievement given that 66 NC schools offer this program. Graduates earn $36,276 one year out, nearly $10,000 above the national median and $9,400 above the state median. While modest debt of $12,037 sits slightly above the state average, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 means graduates owe just four months' salary, making repayment manageable even on these entry-level wages.

The 2% earnings dip by year four deserves attention but shouldn't overshadow the program's strong starting position. Many associate's degree holders in general studies use these credentials as stepping stones—either moving into specific career tracks or continuing their education—which can create non-linear earnings patterns in the data. What matters more is that this program places graduates well above typical outcomes for this field in both North Carolina and nationally.

For families seeking an affordable credential that keeps options open while delivering above-average employment outcomes, this represents solid value. Your child would be entering the workforce ahead of most peers with this degree, carrying manageable debt, and positioned to either advance in their career or continue their education from a stable financial foundation.