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

At $5,500 in debt, Kauai Community College's liberal arts program costs roughly half what similar programs charge both nationally ($10,950) and across Hawaii ($9,387). That's the headline here—extraordinarily low debt burden. The tradeoff is first-year earnings of $23,210, which trails other Hawaii community colleges and sits well below the national median. However, earnings jump 52% by year four to $35,307, eventually surpassing what most comparable programs deliver.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably year to year, but the debt picture is unusually favorable for a liberal arts associate's degree. In Hawaii's expensive cost-of-living environment, graduating with minimal debt matters more than in many states. The low Pell grant percentage (24%) suggests most students aren't borrowing heavily to begin with, which aligns with the minimal debt load.

For a student planning to work in Hawaii and possibly continue their education, this represents a low-risk entry point. The immediate post-graduation earnings are modest, but you're not saddled with debt while figuring out your next steps—whether that's transferring to a four-year program or entering the workforce. Just recognize that career trajectory matters significantly here, as that first year looks financially tight even by community college standards.