Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Maria College of Albany

Maria College's Liberal Arts associate program produces first-year earnings of $60,857—more than double the typical outcome for this degree in New York and among the strongest nationally. That figure would normally signal an exceptional program, but there's a catch: earnings drop sharply to $38,220 by year four, a 37% decline that's highly unusual. This pattern suggests many graduates may be working in healthcare or professional fields immediately after graduation (Maria College is primarily a nursing and health sciences institution), then transitioning to roles more typical of general liberal arts backgrounds as they pursue further education or career changes.

The estimated $10,500 in debt—based on comparable programs at Maria College—represents just 17% of first-year earnings, which is manageable by any standard. Even if earnings settle closer to the four-year mark of $38,220, that's still well above what similar programs typically produce statewide ($23,613 median). The debt load isn't a concern here.

What's harder to assess is sustainability. If your child plans to leverage Maria's healthcare connections for immediate employment, those first-year numbers look attractive. But if they're treating this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree or exploring career options, budget for those lower mid-career earnings. The estimated figures suggest this program performs well relative to peers, but the earnings trajectory indicates it may function differently than a traditional liberal arts pathway—potentially more as a transitional credential within Maria's healthcare-focused environment.