Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Helena College University of Montana

Helena College's Liberal Arts associate degree graduates start strong at $31,290—beating 79% of similar programs nationally and landing above Montana's median of $30,794. The $15,400 in debt sits well below both state and national benchmarks, giving graduates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49. At first glance, this looks like solid value for a community college program.

The concerning pattern emerges in year four, when median earnings drop to $26,981. That's a 14% decline that pushes graduates below the state median and suggests many may be stuck in part-time or transitional work. Among Montana's Liberal Arts programs, Helena College ranks middle-of-the-pack despite charging more than typical for this degree type—it's behind MSU ($33,040) and tied with University of Montana, but costs more per credit hour than peer community colleges.

For Montana families, this program works best as a stepping stone: use it to complete general education requirements affordably before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. As a terminal degree, the earnings trajectory raises questions about job market outcomes. The relatively low debt keeps financial risk contained, but parents should confirm their student has a clear transfer plan rather than stopping at the associate level.