Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Northwest College

At under $20,000 in first-year earnings, Northwest College's Liberal Arts associate degree produces outcomes that rank in the bottom 5% nationally—though keep in mind the sample size here is quite small, meaning just a few graduates' circumstances could be skewing these numbers dramatically. Even within Wyoming, where this program typically doesn't command high wages, Northwest College sits at just the 25th percentile. For context, Northern Wyoming Community College District's graduates in the same field earn nearly double ($38,308) what Northwest College's earn initially.

The 40% earnings growth to $26,891 by year four offers some hope, and the $8,000 debt load is manageable at just 42% of first-year income. That's genuinely good news—many students leave with far heavier burdens. However, even after four years of growth, earnings remain below what most Liberal Arts associate degree holders in Wyoming make right out of the gate.

The fundamental challenge is less about debt and more about earning power. If you're considering this program, understand that you're looking at wages that will likely require supplemental income or additional education to reach financial independence. The small sample size means next year's cohort could see very different results, but current data suggests exploring other Wyoming institutions or questioning whether an associate in Liberal Arts aligns with practical career goals in Powell's limited job market.