Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Garden City Community College

Garden City Community College's Liberal Arts associate's degree lands right at the Kansas median for earnings—both the first-year $26,110 and four-year $31,280 figures essentially mirror what typical graduates across the state earn. What sets this program apart is the debt load: at $8,400, it's notably lower than both the Kansas median ($9,500) and the national median ($10,950). That 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly four months of their first-year salary, which is manageable territory for an associate's degree.

The earnings trajectory shows steady 20% growth over four years, though graduates will still earn considerably less than peers at schools like Washburn ($39,468) or even other community colleges like Butler ($29,761). For context, this program performs in the 40th percentile within Kansas—meaning six out of ten similar programs in the state produce higher earnings. The tradeoff here is clear: you're accepting middle-of-the-pack earnings in exchange for lower debt exposure.

For families watching every dollar, this represents a low-risk entry point to higher education. The modest debt burden won't become a financial albatross, and graduates who transfer to a four-year program or develop specialized skills will likely see those initial earnings improve. Just understand you're paying for affordability and access rather than outsized earning potential.