Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City's Liberal Arts program offers something increasingly rare: solid earnings growth paired with minimal debt burden. While starting salaries of $28,092 trail the national average only slightly, graduates see their earnings climb 25% to $35,215 by year four—well above typical associate's degree trajectories and outpacing 60% of similar Missouri programs.

The debt picture tells an even stronger story. At just $7,321, graduates carry significantly less debt than both the national median ($10,950) and Missouri average ($9,039) for this field. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26, meaning the typical graduate could theoretically pay off their loans with roughly three months of first-year salary. Among Missouri's 27 programs in this field, MCC-Kansas City ranks respectably in the middle tier for earnings while maintaining one of the lowest debt loads.

For families seeking an affordable pathway to stable employment with growth potential, this program delivers practical value. The combination of manageable debt and steady earnings progression suggests graduates can build financial stability without the crushing loan payments that plague many degree programs. With 30% of students receiving Pell grants, the college clearly serves working families effectively.