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

North Shore Community College's liberal arts associate degree punches well above its weight nationally—landing in the 88th percentile for earnings among similar programs—but settles closer to the middle of the pack within Massachusetts itself (60th percentile). That state context matters: while graduates here earn $6,000 more than the national median, they're trailing the state median by about $1,500 and falling behind peer community colleges like Bunker Hill and MassBay by roughly $5,000 annually. The $9,000 in typical debt is manageable, working out to just three months of first-year earnings, though it's worth noting that 30% of graduates carry no debt at all.

The real story is the earnings trajectory. Starting at $33,353, graduates see their income jump 27% to $42,505 within four years—a growth rate that suggests this degree is opening doors rather than leading to a dead end. For a two-year program, that's solid momentum.

For Massachusetts families, this represents a sensible but not exceptional choice. The low debt and strong earnings growth make it financially safe, particularly if your child needs an affordable stepping stone toward a bachelor's degree or immediate workforce entry. Just know that several other Bay State community colleges are delivering stronger initial earnings for the same credential.