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

Jamestown Community College's Liberal Arts program produces an unusual pattern: first-year earnings start below both national and state averages at $23,757, but by year four, graduates reach $30,861—exceeding the national median and climbing to the 60th percentile among New York programs. That 30% earnings jump is significant, though it raises the question of whether graduates are pursuing additional education or training during those early years to reach more competitive wages.

The debt load here is genuinely manageable at $9,280, nearly $2,000 below the state median and translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.39. For a general studies associate's degree—often criticized as directionless—the financial burden is reasonable. Still, that first year at under $24,000 means graduates face a tight budget while building toward better wages.

The real concern is context: New York's strongest Liberal Arts programs—including Maria College and Excelsior University—produce earnings two to three times higher by year four. This suggests the program functions best as a stepping stone rather than a terminal degree, where the relatively low debt allows students to continue their education without excessive financial strain. If your child plans to transfer to a four-year institution, the combination of affordable debt and eventual earnings growth makes sense. If they're counting on this associate's degree alone to launch a career, expect a challenging first few years.