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

At $18,497 in first-year earnings, this program lands in the bottom 10% both nationally and within New Hampshire—where the typical Liberal Arts associate's earns nearly double at $33,000. Even the third-ranked program in the state (NHTI-Concord) starts graduates at $30,000, while Southern New Hampshire's comparable program delivers $44,000. The $10,000 debt load is relatively manageable, but when your first-year income barely covers living expenses, even modest debt becomes a burden.

The 86% earnings jump to $34,000 by year four suggests graduates eventually find their footing, likely by moving into better positions or completing additional credentials. However, the sample size here is quite small—fewer than 30 graduates—which means these figures could swing considerably with just a few data points. That fourth-year number might reflect a couple of success stories rather than a reliable pattern.

For families considering this program, the math is stark: your student would earn roughly $15,000 less in their first year compared to peers at other New Hampshire community colleges offering the same degree. Unless there are compelling reasons to choose Nashua specifically—location, scheduling flexibility, or a clear plan to quickly build on this associate's degree—other in-state options appear to position graduates for significantly better immediate outcomes.