Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at North Country Community College

North Country Community College's liberal arts associate degree produces first-year earnings of $24,113—below the national median but actually above the typical New York graduate in this field, who earns $23,613. Among New York's 74 programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, meaning it outperforms most in-state competitors despite trailing the national average by about $3,100. The $12,000 in median debt is reasonable, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50.

The real question is whether an associate degree in liberal arts makes financial sense as a standalone credential. The top New York programs in this field—like Maria College ($60,857) and Excelsior University ($50,464)—achieve dramatically higher earnings, suggesting that institutional choice or credential stacking matters enormously. At North Country, graduates are earning roughly what you'd expect from entry-level work in the rural Adirondack region, where the college is located.

For families viewing this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree or career training, the modest debt load keeps options open. But as a terminal degree for immediate employment, the earnings are quite low—roughly $11.50 per hour full-time—regardless of how it compares to state peers. The value here depends entirely on what comes next in your child's educational path.