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

Glendale Community College's liberal arts associate program shows impressive earnings growth—from $27,548 to $39,127 over four years—but there's an important caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, which means they might not be representative. That said, the modest $7,250 debt load makes this a relatively low-risk option even if outcomes vary.

The challenge is that this program underperforms within Arizona. While earnings start near the national median, they fall about $8,000 short of what similar programs across the state deliver. Mesa Community College's liberal arts graduates earn $46,000 within a year, and even nearby Scottsdale Community College hits $31,759—nearly $4,000 more. Ranking in just the 40th percentile among Arizona programs suggests students could find stronger options elsewhere in the state.

However, the debt picture offers some reassurance. At $7,250, graduates owe roughly $3,000 less than both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26. For a student planning to transfer to a four-year university (the typical path for liberal arts associate students), keeping debt low matters more than maximizing immediate earnings. If your child plans to continue their education or needs an affordable starting point, the low debt burden counts as a meaningful advantage—just know that other Arizona community colleges might offer both low debt and better early earnings.