Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Palm Beach State College
Associate's Degree
palmbeachstate.eduAnalysis
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.
Where Palm Beach State College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Palm Beach State College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach State College | $29,805 | $34,620 | +16% |
| Saint Leo University | $41,989 | $45,328 | +8% |
| Santa Fe College | $25,823 | $40,559 | +57% |
| Hillsborough Community College | $30,406 | $39,453 | +30% |
| Florida SouthWestern State College | $27,740 | $39,129 | +41% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities associates's programs at peer institutions in Florida (55 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Palm Beach State CollegeLake Worth | $3,050 | $29,805 | $34,620 | $8,125 | 0.27 |
 Saint Leo UniversitySaint Leo | $28,360 | $41,989 | $45,328 | $23,687 | 0.56 |
 University of West FloridaPensacola | $6,360 | $31,140 | $37,671 | $15,125 | 0.49 |
 The College of the Florida KeysKey West | $3,279 | $30,933 | $37,364 | $7,285 | 0.24 |
 Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville | $2,878 | $30,678 | $38,095 | $10,909 | 0.36 |
 Hillsborough Community CollegeTampa | $2,506 | $30,406 | $39,453 | $11,000 | 0.36 |
| National Median | — | $27,248 | — | $10,950 | 0.40 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Palm Beach State College, approximately 38% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 1112 graduates with reported earnings and 1609 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.