Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Piedmont Virginia Community College

Among Virginia's community colleges, Piedmont Virginia's liberal arts program delivers notably better outcomes than most in-state alternatives. With first-year earnings of $29,144, graduates here outperform the state median by over $4,000—landing in the 60th percentile statewide. That's meaningful when you consider that many Virginia community colleges produce graduates earning closer to $25,000.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $9,400, it's actually below both state and national medians for this program, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.32. That means graduates owe roughly one-third of their first-year salary—a manageable burden by any standard. The 13% earnings growth to $33,000 by year four suggests this associate's degree provides a foundation that improves with time, whether students enter the workforce or transfer to complete a bachelor's degree.

Of course, this is still an associate's degree in liberal arts, not a specialized technical credential. Students pursuing this path should understand it's typically a stepping stone—either to a four-year degree or to entry-level positions where the credential opens doors. But compared to similar programs across Virginia, Piedmont Virginia delivers a cleaner financial start than most.