Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Lake Superior College

Lake Superior College's liberal arts associate degree posts first-year earnings of $33,525—well above both the national median ($27,248) and Minnesota's median ($32,056)—while keeping debt manageable at $13,000. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.39, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about five months of their first year's salary. Among Minnesota's 39 programs, this sits solidly at the 60th percentile, and nationally it ranks even higher at the 89th percentile.

The real story here is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 26% income bump by year four, reaching $42,213. That growth pattern suggests this program successfully launches students into career paths with advancement potential—unusual for associate degrees in liberal arts. While top performers like Winona State start higher at $46,673, Lake Superior's combination of low debt and strong earnings growth creates a favorable financial equation. The debt burden is actually lower than Minnesota's median for these programs ($13,156), despite the stronger earnings outcome.

For families in Duluth or northeastern Minnesota, this represents a particularly smart value. You're getting top-third performance in the state at community college pricing, with graduates entering the workforce quickly and seeing meaningful income growth. The only real question is whether your student has a clear path from this general degree to specific career opportunities—but the earnings data suggests most graduates are finding that path successfully.