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

Labette Community College's liberal arts associate program shows concerning earnings relative to both state and national comparisons, with first-year graduates earning just $22,095—about $4,000 below Kansas's median for similar programs and $5,000 below the national average. That 25th percentile state ranking means three-quarters of Kansas community colleges produce better-earning liberal arts graduates. The debt load of $11,500 isn't extreme, but when you're earning barely above minimum wage full-time in year one, it creates real financial strain.

The 38% earnings jump to $30,371 by year four offers some relief, bringing graduates closer to competitive territory. However, even that improved figure trails programs like Johnson County Community College and Butler Community College, which start students $7,000-$8,000 higher right out of the gate. The small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year, but the pattern of underperformance against state benchmarks suggests systemic challenges rather than statistical noise.

For families considering this path, understand that an associate degree in liberal arts is typically a stepping stone to a bachelor's program rather than a terminal credential. If your student plans to transfer, focus on credit transfer agreements and articulation pathways rather than these earnings figures. But if they're planning to enter the workforce after two years, stronger-performing Kansas community colleges would serve them better financially.