Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Jefferson College

Jefferson College graduates start earning about $3,000 below Missouri's median for this degree, but something notable happens by year four: their earnings jump 57% to nearly $39,000—well above both state and national averages. This earnings trajectory suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into better-paying work, though the delayed payoff means patience is required.

The $8,250 in typical debt sits comfortably below both state and national medians, making the initial lower earnings more manageable. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, graduates owe roughly four months of their starting salary—reasonable territory for an associate degree. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) gives this data credibility without raising red flags about program size.

For families considering this path, recognize you're looking at a program that gets stronger with time rather than delivering immediate returns. While students at Columbia College or Three Rivers see higher starting salaries, Jefferson's combination of low debt and solid four-year earnings creates a viable foundation. This works best for students who can weather lower initial paychecks, perhaps by living at home or working part-time, knowing their earning potential improves significantly within a few years.