Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Kansas City Kansas Community College's liberal arts associate's graduates earn more than 95% of similar programs nationwide—an impressive achievement for a program that costs just $8,000 in typical debt. At $35,955 one year out, these graduates out-earn the national median by more than $8,000 and sit comfortably in the 80th percentile among Kansas programs, trailing only Washburn University in the state.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 means graduates can realistically manage payments while building their careers or continuing their education. While most liberal arts associate's programs face skepticism about value, this one delivers concrete financial results, especially for the nearly one-third of students receiving Pell grants who need affordable pathways to higher earnings. The slight earnings dip to $34,616 by year four likely reflects students transferring to four-year programs rather than career stagnation—a common pattern for associate's degrees designed as stepping stones.

For families weighing community college options in Kansas, this program punches well above its weight class. The combination of top-tier earnings outcomes, manageable debt, and strong positioning among state peers makes it a surprisingly solid investment, whether students plan to enter the workforce immediately or continue their education.