Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

IUP's general studies associate degree sits solidly in the middle of Pennsylvania offerings—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $28,901, roughly $3,000 above the state median. That's respectable positioning for a broad-based liberal arts credential, though notably behind the state's top community college programs that break $30,000. The real advantage here is debt: at $19,250, graduates carry about $6,750 more than the state median, but still land in just the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden. The 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than 8 months of their first-year salary.

The catch? These figures come from a very small graduating cohort—fewer than 30 students—which makes it hard to know if these outcomes are consistent or just reflect a particularly successful group. For an associate degree at a state university rather than a community college, you're paying somewhat more in debt for outcomes that are good but not exceptional. If your child is certain about transferring to complete a bachelor's degree, that path might justify the extra cost. If they're stopping at the associate level, Pennsylvania's community colleges offer similar or better earnings with substantially less debt.