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

At first glance, Lamar Community College's liberal arts program looks like a solid bet: graduates carry just $9,300 in debt—about $2,600 less than the state average—and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 is manageable. But dig into the earnings picture and things get complicated. Starting at $25,669, graduates earn roughly $5,000 less annually than peers at other Colorado community colleges, placing this program in just the 25th percentile statewide. That's a significant gap when nearby Front Range Community College graduates start at $35,023 and Arapahoe at $38,592.

The 32% earnings growth by year four helps close some of that gap, pushing median earnings to $33,806, but even then graduates remain behind the state median. The real question is whether the lower debt justifies accepting a slower financial start. For students planning to transfer to a four-year school—where the associate's degree is just a stepping stone—the affordable debt load makes sense. But for those heading straight to work, the earnings deficit matters more.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. If your child is considering this program, focus on their next step. For transfer students, this works. For those entering the workforce immediately, the stronger-earning programs at Front Range or Arapahoe might justify slightly higher debt, especially if staying closer to Colorado's Front Range job market is an option.