Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Linn-Benton Community College

A general studies associate degree from Linn-Benton starts slow but builds momentum. That $24,383 first-year figure lands below both state and national medians, but the 38% earnings jump to $33,739 by year four suggests graduates successfully transition into better-paying work. Among Oregon's 22 community colleges offering this program, Linn-Benton sits near the middle—lagging behind Portland CC ($30,852) and Central Oregon ($29,560), but outpacing several regional competitors by year four.

The $11,636 debt load is reasonable and just below Oregon's median for this degree. With a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5, graduates can realistically manage repayment even during that lower-earning first year. The real question is whether this degree serves as a stepping stone—to a bachelor's program or skilled work—or an endpoint. The earnings trajectory suggests many students find pathways forward, though starting wages remain modest.

For families viewing this as a transfer foundation or career exploration year, the combination of manageable debt and eventual earnings growth makes sense. If your student plans to stop at the associate level, understand they'll likely need patience and persistence to reach that higher income level—it's a longer runway than some alternatives.