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

Hawkeye Community College's liberal arts associate degree outperforms most programs nationally while keeping debt remarkably low. First-year graduates earn $30,321—placing them in the 74th percentile nationally and beating the national median by more than $3,000. Within Iowa, the program sits in the 60th percentile, trailing only a handful of community colleges in the state. More impressive is the debt picture: at $14,209, it's among the lowest 21% nationally, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.47 that borrowers can realistically manage.

The 27% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates are finding solid footing in Iowa's job market, moving from $30,321 to $38,586. While this won't match four-year degree earnings, it represents genuine economic mobility for an associate degree—particularly for the 22% of students receiving Pell grants who likely need affordable pathways to stable work. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) confirms these aren't outlier results.

For Iowa families weighing a two-year degree, this program delivers measurable value: above-average earnings paired with below-average debt. It's a practical foundation for students who need to enter the workforce quickly or plan to transfer later, offering financial stability without the burden that derails many graduates.