Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Georgia Highlands College

Georgia Highlands delivers above-average outcomes for an associate's in liberal arts, outperforming both the national and Georgia medians with first-year earnings of $28,403. More importantly, this program keeps debt remarkably low for Georgia—graduates carry $11,166 compared to the state median of $13,750. Among the 39 Georgia schools offering this degree, Georgia Highlands ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings while maintaining below-average debt burdens, putting it roughly on par with much larger institutions like Georgia State.

The 20% earnings growth from year one to year four ($28,403 to $34,060) is solid for an associate's degree, suggesting graduates either advance in their current roles or use this credential as a stepping stone to better opportunities. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 means graduates owe less than half their first year's salary—manageable by most standards, especially considering that 39% of students receive Pell grants.

For Georgia families seeking an affordable pathway into college or looking to complete general education requirements economically, Georgia Highlands represents a sensible choice. The program won't launch anyone into high earnings immediately, but it delivers competitive outcomes without saddling students with crushing debt.