Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at National Park College

National Park College's Liberal Arts associate degree offers an unusual advantage for this program type: remarkably low debt paired with solid earnings growth. At $15,512, graduates here borrow about 50% more than the national median—but still maintain a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio. The real story emerges over time: earnings jump 26% between year one and year four, reaching $31,764. That trajectory matters because it suggests graduates aren't stuck in entry-level positions, even though first-year earnings of $25,253 trail both state and national medians.

The challenge is immediate earning power. Among Arkansas's 40 programs in this field, National Park sits firmly in the middle (40th percentile), while competitors like Arkansas Tech and Black River Technical deliver $33,000-36,000 by year four. For a family weighing community college options in Arkansas, those numbers represent real differences—roughly $4,000-5,000 annually that could accelerate debt repayment or build savings.

For students who need to start working immediately after graduation or plan to transfer to a four-year program, the lower debt load provides breathing room. But families should recognize they're trading stronger initial earnings for that debt advantage. If your child plans to enter the workforce directly with just the associate degree, the higher-earning Arkansas programs might justify their slightly higher debt. If they're using this as a transfer pathway, National Park's combination of manageable debt and steady growth makes more financial sense.