Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at John A Logan College

John A Logan College delivers one clear advantage—its liberal arts associate's degree leaves graduates with minimal debt at just $7,250, well below both the national median of $10,950 and Illinois's $7,761. That 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio means manageable payments even on modest starting salaries. However, those earnings themselves tell a more troubling story. At $23,892 one year out, graduates earn about $3,700 less than the Illinois median for this program, placing them in the 40th percentile statewide—below average but not rock bottom.

The real concern emerges when you look at what students at comparable Illinois community colleges are achieving. Prairie State and Lincoln Land graduates earn nearly $10,000 more annually, suggesting that where you earn this degree matters considerably for employment outcomes. The modest 8% earnings bump to $25,877 by year four doesn't close this gap meaningfully.

For families treating this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree, the low debt burden makes sense—you're minimizing sunk costs before transferring. But if this associate's is the terminal degree, those below-average earnings combined with limited growth create a concerning income ceiling. The program works best as an affordable launchpad for further education, not as a standalone credential for immediate workforce entry.