Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Northeast Texas Community College

Northeast Texas Community College graduates earn nearly $7,000 more than the typical Texas community college associate's degree holder in liberal arts—putting them in the 60th percentile statewide and the remarkable 90th percentile nationally. With first-year earnings of $33,903 and manageable debt of $12,500, this program delivers a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, meaning graduates earn back their entire loan balance in less than five months. For a program serving nearly half Pell-eligible students, these are genuinely strong outcomes.

The $36,398 four-year earnings figure shows solid 7% growth and holds up well, even if it trails the state's top performers like Central Texas College and Austin Community College by about $2,000-$3,000. What matters more: NTCC graduates start earning $6,500 above the national median for this degree right out of the gate, giving them a meaningful head start whether they continue their education or enter the workforce directly.

For families in Northeast Texas weighing the value of a local associate's degree, this program punches well above its weight. The combination of below-average debt and well-above-average earnings creates real breathing room for graduates—enough to make loan payments comfortably or save toward a bachelor's degree without the crushing financial pressure many liberal arts students face.