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

Genesee Community College's associate program starts rough but shows unusual momentum. First-year graduates earn just $22,079—landing them in the 16th percentile nationally—but by year four, earnings jump 40% to nearly $31,000. That's faster growth than most associate programs typically deliver, though it still trails New York's top performers by a wide margin.

Within New York, this program sits right at the state median, performing better than half of similar programs across 74 schools. The $10,064 debt burden is manageable and slightly below state norms, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that's workable even in that challenging first year. For context, graduates at Maria College of Albany earn nearly three times as much, suggesting location and career path matter enormously with a general studies degree.

The real question is opportunity cost. If your student plans to transfer to a four-year school, this provides an affordable stepping stone with reasonable debt. But if they're entering the workforce after two years, those first-year earnings will be tight—think retail or service industry wages—even if longer-term prospects improve. The program works best as a foundation, not a destination.