Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Louisiana Delta Community College

Louisiana Delta's general studies associate program shows surprisingly manageable debt—just $18,750 compared to a national median of $10,950, but still 5% lower than most programs across the country. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 means graduates owe less than one year's salary, which is relatively sustainable. However, the earnings tell a more complex story: at $27,141 after one year, graduates land squarely in the middle nationally but below average for Louisiana, ranking in just the 40th percentile among the state's 21 programs offering this degree.

The real concern is the comparison to stronger Louisiana programs. McNeese State and Northwestern State graduates earn $10,000+ more annually, while even nearby community colleges like Bossier Parish edge out Delta by a few hundred dollars. The 9% earnings bump over four years to $29,442 provides modest growth but doesn't close that gap. Given that over half of Delta's students receive Pell grants, many are counting on this degree to meaningfully boost their income—and while it does provide some lift, it's not the strongest option in Louisiana.

The small sample size here matters—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, one or two outliers could skew these figures significantly. If your child is considering this program as a stepping stone to a four-year degree or needs to stay local, the manageable debt makes it workable. But if transfer credits or commuting to a stronger program nearby is feasible, the earnings data suggests that's worth exploring.