Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State's general studies associate's degree achieves something unusual: graduates earn $34,148 in their first year—25% above Louisiana's median for similar programs and ranking in the state's 80th percentile. That's a significant premium for a program at an open-access university. But here's the catch: students leave with $23,735 in debt, more than double the national median for associate's degrees in this field and $6,000 above Louisiana's state average.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 means graduates face nearly nine months of gross income to pay off their loans—manageable, but expensive relative to what peer programs charge. Compare this to Bossier Parish Community College, where graduates earn nearly the same ($27,632) but presumably carry far less debt. The earnings growth is modest at 6% over four years, suggesting graduates find stable entry-level work but limited advancement without further education.

For families weighing this option, the question is whether Northwestern State's stronger-than-average earnings justify borrowing twice the typical amount. The answer depends on alternatives: if your student is heading to a four-year program anyway, accumulating $24,000 in debt before transferring could create financial strain. But if they're entering the workforce immediately and value Northwestern State's campus environment over a community college, the earnings premium helps offset the cost—just not enough to call it a clear bargain.