Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Lehigh Carbon Community College

The $19,448 first-year salary at Lehigh Carbon Community College should worry you—it's in the bottom 5% nationally for this degree and trails the Pennsylvania median by nearly $6,500. Even among Pennsylvania's 48 similar programs, this ranks only at the 25th percentile. Nearby community colleges like Harrisburg Area and Delaware County see graduates earning 50% more right out of the gate, suggesting this isn't simply about the challenging Pennsylvania economy or the limitations of an associate's degree.

The silver lining is impressive four-year growth: earnings jump 83% to $35,669, which actually exceeds what graduates from higher-ranked Pennsylvania programs typically see. But that year-four number still requires four years of working your way up from a starting salary that's barely above minimum wage. The $11,000 debt burden is manageable, though you're paying typical debt for significantly below-typical outcomes.

If your child needs an associate's degree in liberal arts, consider the alternatives. Community College of Philadelphia and Harrisburg Area Community College both start their graduates at more than $30,000—a difference that means paying rent versus living at home, or having a car versus taking the bus. This program works best for students who already have job connections or plan to transfer immediately to a four-year school, not those counting on the credential alone to launch a career.