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

Hillsborough Community College's Liberal Arts associate degree delivers surprisingly strong value, with graduates earning $30,406 in their first year—significantly above both the national median ($27,248) and Florida median ($26,978) for this program. This places the program in the 75th percentile nationally and 60th percentile within Florida, making it competitive with much more expensive four-year options while keeping debt remarkably low at just $11,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 is excellent, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to pay off their loans in about four months of gross income. What's particularly encouraging is the 30% earnings growth from year one to year four, with graduates reaching $39,453—indicating this degree provides a solid foundation for career advancement. Among Florida's 55 programs, this ranks respectably in the middle tier, trailing only elite institutions like Saint Leo University but outperforming many state colleges.

For families seeking an affordable pathway to higher education, this program offers genuine economic mobility at a fraction of the cost of four-year alternatives. The combination of low debt, above-average starting salaries, and strong earnings growth makes this a smart financial choice, especially for students who may transfer to complete a bachelor's degree later or enter the workforce immediately with marketable skills and minimal debt burden.