Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Luzerne County Community College

Luzerne County Community College's liberal arts associate's degree produces outcomes that track closely with state averages but lag behind both Pennsylvania's stronger community colleges and national benchmarks. First-year graduates earn $25,339—about $2,000 less than the national median and roughly $400 below the Pennsylvania median. Among the state's 48 programs, this lands at the 40th percentile, meaning most comparable Pennsylvania programs deliver better returns. Community College of Philadelphia and Harrisburg Area Community College, for instance, produce graduates earning $7,000-$8,000 more annually.

The financial fundamentals work out reasonably well, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 and modest borrowing of $11,750 (slightly below Pennsylvania's median). Earnings do grow 19% by year four, reaching $30,114, which matches the 75th percentile nationally—suggesting graduates eventually catch up even if they start behind. For students planning to transfer to a four-year institution, this baseline may matter less than the associate's degree's role as an affordable stepping stone.

The program serves its purpose as an entry point to higher education without crushing debt, but Pennsylvania families have demonstrably better options nearby. If your child plans to work immediately after graduation rather than transfer, the earnings gap becomes more significant. Community colleges within an hour's drive consistently produce stronger outcomes for the same credential.