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

Forsyth Technical's liberal arts associate's degree starts graduates at a lower salary than most North Carolina peers—landing below both state and national medians—but the 31% earnings jump to $33,291 within four years deserves attention. Among the 66 NC schools offering this program, Forsyth ranks just below the middle of the pack, though several community colleges in the state deliver substantially stronger early earnings (Randolph and Beaufort graduates start near $40,000).

The debt picture offers some relief: at $9,500, borrowers here face a manageable burden that's actually below the national average and keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio reasonable at 0.37. For families worried about crushing debt loads, this represents a relatively safe bet. Still, the initial $25,355 salary means graduates will likely need to live frugally or supplement with additional work during that first year, particularly important given that 41% of students receive Pell grants.

The central question is whether that four-year earnings growth compensates for the slow start. If your child plans to stay in the Winston-Salem area and can weather the initial lean period—perhaps living at home or working full-time while finishing the degree—this path avoids dangerous debt while building toward a more viable salary. But families seeking stronger immediate returns should examine why other NC community colleges are placing graduates in better-paying roles from day one.