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

Mitchell Community College's liberal arts associate delivers exactly what you'd expect from a community college general education program—modest starting earnings offset by remarkably low debt. At just $6,313, graduates leave with less than half the typical debt burden for this program in North Carolina, ranking this program in the 95th percentile nationally for keeping debt low.

The earnings trajectory tells a straightforward story. Starting at $27,667, graduates see steady growth to $31,805 by year four—a 15% increase that outpaces many associate programs. While Mitchell ranks solidly in the middle nationally (53rd percentile), it performs slightly better among North Carolina programs (60th percentile), beating the state median by nearly $1,000 in first-year earnings. Those top-ranked NC programs like Randolph and Beaufort County earning $38,000-$40,000 serve different populations or funnel graduates into specific local industries, so the gap isn't entirely apples-to-apples.

The real appeal here is the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23—graduates owe less than three months of their first year's salary. For students using this degree as a stepping stone to a bachelor's program or seeking general workforce entry with minimal financial risk, Mitchell provides that foundation affordably. Just understand this is a credential for beginning a journey, not finishing one.