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

Georgia Military College's liberal arts associate degree starts at a concerning $19,929 in year one—landing in just the 5th percentile nationally and 25th in Georgia, well below both the national median ($27,248) and state median ($24,817). Even with a 58% earnings jump by year four to $31,399, graduates are playing catch-up against peers who started stronger. Georgia State's Perimeter College, for instance, shows graduates earning $29,070 right out of the gate.

The $9,166 debt load is lighter than both state and national averages, which helps explain the relatively manageable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio. But here's the practical reality: your child would likely be earning poverty-level wages for at least the first year after graduation, making even modest loan payments challenging. The steep earnings growth suggests graduates are taking time to find their footing—perhaps finishing bachelor's degrees or moving into better positions—but that first year could be financially precarious.

If your child plans to transfer to complete a four-year degree, this is a low-cost stepping stone. But as a standalone credential for entering the workforce, this program leaves graduates at a significant disadvantage compared to peer institutions in Georgia. The lighter debt matters less when starting earnings are this low.