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

Highland Community College graduates are out-earning 74% of associate-level liberal arts programs nationally, with first-year earnings of $30,269 jumping to $35,263 by year four. That's a solid 17% gain and positions this program above both the national median ($27,248) and Illinois median ($27,563). While it doesn't crack the top tier of Illinois programs—Prairie State and Lincoln Land graduates earn about $4,000 more annually—Highland sits comfortably in the 60th percentile statewide, which is respectable for a general studies degree.

The debt picture is manageable at $10,066, translating to a 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio that shouldn't burden most graduates. However, one caution: this data represents fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary more than these medians suggest. The 30% Pell grant enrollment also indicates Highland serves a population where every dollar of debt matters.

For families seeking an affordable pathway to either workforce entry or transfer to a four-year school, Highland delivers reasonable value. The earnings trajectory shows graduates aren't stuck at entry-level wages, and the debt load won't follow them for decades. Just recognize you're looking at a small cohort's experience rather than hundreds of data points.