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

Holmes Community College's Liberal Arts associate program delivers something rare for Mississippi: earnings that beat 60% of similar in-state programs. While the $25,496 first-year salary trails the national median by about $1,800, it significantly outpaces Mississippi's state median of $21,112—putting Holmes ahead of most community colleges in the state. The $11,789 in debt is manageable given the relatively low earnings, with graduates owing less than half their first-year salary.

The 15% earnings growth to $29,214 by year four is encouraging and suggests graduates either continue their education or gain traction in the workforce. For a state where many Liberal Arts associate programs struggle to reach $22,000 in starting earnings, Holmes positions its students notably better. The moderate debt load, while higher than some Mississippi schools, remains below the national median and shouldn't derail most graduates' financial plans.

For Mississippi families, this represents a solid foundation degree—especially if the plan includes transferring to complete a bachelor's. The earnings alone won't fund an independent lifestyle in most markets, but that's true of Liberal Arts associate programs nationwide. What matters here is that Holmes students enter the workforce or their next academic step with less debt and better earnings than most of their in-state peers.