Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Palm Beach State College

Palm Beach State College's Liberal Arts associate program delivers solid value with notably low debt burden, making it a smart choice for students seeking an affordable foundation degree. With median debt of just $8,125—well below both the national ($10,950) and Florida state ($9,250) medians—graduates face manageable financial obligations while earning $29,805 in their first year, which exceeds both national and state benchmarks.

The program performs respectably within Florida's competitive landscape, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's 55 similar programs. While it doesn't reach the earnings levels of premium options like Saint Leo University ($42k), it sits comfortably among strong state performers and offers significantly better debt terms. The 16% earnings growth over four years to $34,620 demonstrates solid career progression potential.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 is particularly compelling—graduates typically owe less than three months of their starting salary, creating financial flexibility that's rare in higher education today. For families prioritizing affordability while maintaining quality, this program offers a pathway to higher education without the crushing debt loads common elsewhere. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates provides confidence these outcomes are reliable, not statistical flukes.