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

Jefferson State's Liberal Arts associate degree positions graduates slightly above the middle of the pack—ranking in the 60th percentile among Alabama's 29 similar programs. Starting earnings of $28,176 exceed both the state median ($24,375) and national median ($27,248) for this credential, though they remain modest in absolute terms. The program sits comfortably in the middle tier of Alabama community colleges offering this degree, well behind Troy University's $37,838 but ahead of most in-state peers.

The financial picture is manageable: $11,000 in median debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, meaning graduates owe roughly five months' salary. Earnings growth of 20% over four years—from $28,176 to $33,742—suggests graduates find steady employment, though these remain service-sector wage levels rather than professional salaries. This is exactly what you'd expect from a general studies associate degree, which typically serves as either a transfer pathway to a four-year institution or preparation for entry-level work.

For families viewing this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree, the modest debt load makes it a reasonable starting point. For those treating it as a terminal credential, understand that $33,742 by year four represents a livable but constrained income in Birmingham. The value hinges entirely on what comes next—whether that's transferring those credits or leveraging local job connections.