Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Metropolitan Community College Area

Metropolitan Community College's Liberal Arts associate degree delivers something rare: strong earnings at manageable debt. Graduates earn $33,011 in their first year—placing this program in the 86th percentile nationally—while carrying just $10,214 in debt. That 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates typically owe about four months of salary, one of the healthier financial pictures you'll find in community college liberal arts programs.

The earnings trajectory is equally encouraging. Four years out, the median salary climbs to nearly $40,000, a 21% increase that suggests graduates are building viable career paths rather than hitting dead ends. While the program ranks at Nebraska's median for liberal arts associate degrees (60th percentile), the state context matters less here: even at the state median, this program substantially outperforms the national benchmark of $27,248. Among the state's 11 programs, Metropolitan holds its own against larger systems like Southeast Community College.

For a two-year liberal arts degree, this represents solid practical value. Your child won't face crushing debt, starts earning above-average wages immediately, and sees meaningful salary growth through their mid-twenties. If they're using this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree or entering Nebraska's workforce directly, the numbers support either path.