Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Pasco-Hernando State College

Pasco-Hernando State College's liberal arts associate degree starts modest but builds momentum—graduates earn $27,253 initially, then see a 27% jump to $34,567 by year four. That earnings growth is the real story here, outpacing what most community college liberal arts programs deliver. Within Florida, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, sitting comfortably above the state median and performing nearly on par with national averages despite lower tuition costs.

The $8,500 debt load is the program's strongest selling point. While it's slightly below Florida's median for this degree, it's substantially lower than the national figure of $10,950. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 means graduates owe roughly four months of their first-year salary—manageable by any standard. For families concerned about community college ROI, this math works: minimal debt with clear income progression over time.

The caveat is that first-year earnings sit right at the median nationally, and even at year four, graduates earn well below top Florida programs like Saint Leo ($42K) or University of West Florida ($31K). But those programs likely cost significantly more. For students seeking an affordable pathway to a bachelor's degree or entering the workforce with minimal financial burden, Pasco-Hernando delivers solid fundamentals without the crushing debt that often accompanies four-year liberal arts programs.