Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Mt Hood Community College

Mt Hood Community College's liberal arts associate program starts behind most Oregon community colleges but shows something promising: 39% earnings growth over four years, bringing graduates from $24,658 to $34,240. That growth trajectory outpaces the typical pattern for this degree, though it doesn't erase the initial earnings gap—graduates here earn about $6,000 less in year one than peers at Portland Community College or Central Oregon.

The debt picture is actually favorable. At $11,083, it's below Oregon's median for this program and manageable relative to earnings—the 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. That said, Oregon community college students at similar programs typically start with slightly more debt ($12,208 median), yet earn significantly more right away, suggesting Mt Hood's tuition advantage doesn't fully compensate for the earnings shortfall.

For families banking on this as an affordable stepping stone, understand you're trading lower immediate earnings for solid growth potential. If your student plans to transfer to a four-year school quickly, that first-year number matters less. But if they'll work with just this associate degree for a while, they'll be earning considerably less than peers at other Oregon community colleges during those crucial early years when many young adults need financial independence.