Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Mesa Community College

Mesa Community College's liberal arts associate program produces surprisingly strong first-year earnings—$46,084 puts graduates well ahead of the Arizona median ($31,002) and nearly 70% above the national benchmark. Among Arizona's 25 community colleges offering this degree, these earnings rank in the 80th percentile, substantially outpacing even well-regarded peers like Yavapai College ($36,742) and Scottsdale Community College ($31,759). The debt load of $10,500 translates to just 23% of first-year income, making repayment manageable.

The catch? Earnings drop to $43,433 by year four—a 6% decline that's unusual for any program. This could reflect the reality that many associate degree holders use this credential as a stepping stone to bachelor's programs or shift career paths. It's also worth noting the sample size is quite small (under 30 graduates), which means these numbers could be influenced by just a few high earners and may not fully represent typical outcomes.

For parents whose child plans to transfer to a four-year university after completing general education requirements at community college prices, this looks like a solid pathway. But if the associate degree is the terminal credential, understand that earnings may plateau or even decline rather than grow with experience.