Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Iowa Lakes Community College

Iowa Lakes Community College graduates with associate degrees in liberal arts earn substantially more than the typical program graduate—about $4,700 above the national median in year one and nearly $10,000 ahead by year four. That 82nd percentile national ranking is impressive for a general studies program, though the 60th percentile position within Iowa suggests the state's community colleges are generally performing well in this field. Still, Iowa Lakes edges out most of its in-state competitors, trailing only Western Iowa Tech and Des Moines Area among Iowa's community colleges.

The financial picture works in graduates' favor: with debt around $11,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, students can realistically pay off their loans while building careers. The 18% earnings growth from year one to year four indicates graduates are successfully translating their associate degrees into better opportunities, whether through immediate employment or as a stepping stone to further education.

For families considering Iowa community colleges, Iowa Lakes offers above-average outcomes at a manageable price point. The combination of relatively low debt and earnings that exceed most peer institutions makes this a solid foundation, particularly for students who need flexibility or aren't yet committed to a specific career path.