Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at North Idaho College

North Idaho College's Liberal Arts associate degree sits in an uncomfortable middle ground for Idaho students. While earnings edge above the national median, they lag behind most Idaho programs—landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. That puts this program roughly $5,000 per year behind what students at College of Western Idaho or College of Eastern Idaho earn, despite higher debt levels than either of those alternatives.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at $9,125, graduates owe about $5,000 less than the Idaho median for this degree. That modest borrowing keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.33, meaning graduates dedicate about four months of their first year's income to repayment. The 24% earnings growth to year four also suggests graduates find their footing, though even at $34,517, they're earning below what peers at most other Idaho community colleges make right out of the gate.

For Idaho families, this becomes a location decision more than anything. If Coeur d'Alene works geographically, the lower debt partially offsets the earnings lag. But students willing to consider programs in Boise, Lewiston, or Nampa will likely see better returns—particularly at Boise State, where graduates earn nearly $13,000 more annually. The gap is too significant to ignore unless proximity to NIC offers compelling personal or financial advantages.