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

Phoenix College's liberal arts associate's degree starts modestly but shows something uncommon for a general studies program: real earning momentum. First-year earnings of $31,709 jump 30% to over $41,000 by year four—solid growth that places graduates above 80% of similar programs nationally. At $12,000 in debt, students are paying just 0.38 times their starting salary, a manageable load that most can realistically clear within a few years.

The Arizona context tells a more nuanced story. While Phoenix College ranks in the 60th percentile among Arizona's 25 community colleges offering this degree, it trails programs like Mesa Community College ($46,084) and Yavapai College ($36,742) by significant margins. Still, it delivers above-average outcomes for students who need affordability—29% receive Pell grants—and beats the state median by a small margin.

For parents, this is a practical stepping stone rather than a destination degree. The low debt and strong earnings growth suggest graduates are either transferring successfully to four-year programs or finding decent entry-level work. The moderate sample size means these numbers are reasonably reliable. If your student plans to continue their education or needs an affordable start with minimal debt risk, Phoenix College delivers. Just know stronger options exist elsewhere in Arizona if location flexibility allows.