Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Northland Pioneer College

Northland Pioneer's general studies associate degree produces first-year earnings of just $17,129—roughly half what Arizona community college students in similar programs typically earn ($31,002 statewide median). This ranks in the 10th percentile among Arizona programs and the 5th percentile nationally, placing it among the weakest-performing liberal arts programs in the country. For context, Mesa Community College graduates in this field earn nearly three times as much ($46,084), showing what's possible even within Arizona's community college system.

The low debt of $5,759 provides minimal consolation. While the 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, the underlying earnings are so low they fall well below full-time minimum wage work. These numbers suggest graduates aren't finding jobs that require or value their degree, which defeats the purpose of the credential. The extremely small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty, but even accounting for statistical noise, these outcomes are troubling.

If your child is considering this program, understand they could likely earn similar or better wages without the associate degree. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances—perhaps this is a stepping stone to a bachelor's program elsewhere, or your child needs the structure of community college to develop study skills—the investment doesn't align with typical financial goals. The data suggests most students would benefit more from either choosing a different Arizona community college for this path or selecting a more career-focused program at Northland Pioneer.