Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Pearl River Community College

Pearl River's liberal arts associate degree starts at earnings well below what most families hope for—just $19,354 in the first year, placing it in the bottom 5% nationally. However, the 48% earnings jump to $28,702 by year four tells a different story about this program's trajectory. Among Mississippi's 17 community colleges offering this degree, Pearl River lands right in the middle (40th percentile), though it trails in-state competitors like Holmes ($25,496) and Meridian ($24,817) by a meaningful margin.

The $10,000 debt load is manageable and actually below the national median of $10,950, which matters given that nearly half of students here receive Pell grants. The real question is whether those first few post-graduation years—likely spent in entry-level retail, service, or administrative roles—are financially viable while debt payments come due. By year four, graduates typically catch up to the state median and approach national norms, suggesting the associate degree does eventually open doors to better opportunities.

For Mississippi families considering this path, Pearl River offers an affordable way to complete general education requirements before transferring to a four-year school. But students planning to stop at the associate level should understand they'll need a backup plan for those lean early years, and that other Mississippi community colleges deliver stronger immediate outcomes from the same program.