Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Minneapolis Community and Technical College's associate program presents a puzzling contrast: graduates carry among the lowest debt loads in the country (7th percentile nationally) yet still earn less than most Minnesota peers. At $35,173 four years out, earnings trail the state median by nearly $3,000 and fall considerably behind top Minnesota community colleges like Inver Hills ($41,906) and Century College ($38,376), which serve similar student populations.

The debt picture deserves credit—$17,500 is remarkably manageable, especially given that 40% of students receive Pell grants. The 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can reasonably pay this down within a few years. Plus, the 22% earnings growth trajectory from year one to year four shows genuine progression. However, when peer institutions in Minnesota consistently produce stronger outcomes, that gap matters for families weighing options.

For Minneapolis-area students needing an affordable start, this program won't saddle anyone with crushing debt. But if you're considering community colleges across the Twin Cities metro, the data suggests looking closely at alternatives. The difference between $35,000 and $41,000 annually compounds significantly over a career, and those higher-earning programs don't necessarily require substantially more debt. This works as a local option if proximity or specific program features matter, but it's not the strongest value play among Minnesota's community college landscape.