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

Olympic College manages to deliver something unusual for a liberal arts associate's degree: solid earnings with remarkably low debt. The $6,598 median debt here is less than half what graduates typically carry statewide ($9,500) and well below the national median of nearly $11,000. That minimal debt burden, combined with first-year earnings of nearly $30,000, creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.22—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about three months of income.

The earnings trajectory looks healthy too. At $34,954 four years out, graduates see 17% income growth and outperform both state and national medians for this degree. Among Washington's 38 programs, Olympic ranks in the 60th percentile—respectable middle ground in a state where some community colleges push graduates past $34,000 but the top private programs reach nearly $48,000. The earnings advantage over national peers (71st percentile) suggests Olympic's location near Seattle and the Puget Sound military installations may provide better job opportunities than what liberal arts associate's holders typically find elsewhere.

For families seeking an affordable pathway to a four-year degree or immediate workforce entry, this program offers a low-risk entry point. The combination of minimal debt and above-average earnings means graduates have financial flexibility—whether that's transferring to complete a bachelor's degree or building work experience without crushing loan payments.