Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Pierce College District

Pierce College's associate program in liberal arts shows a distinctive pattern: graduates earn well below state and national averages initially—about $4,000 less than Washington's median—but their incomes surge 60% by year four, reaching nearly $39,000. Among Washington's 38 similar programs, this places it in the 40th percentile for earnings, meaning roughly 60% of comparable programs deliver better outcomes.

The $10,944 in debt sits right at the national median and slightly above the state average, which isn't particularly competitive. More concerning is that first-year payoff: graduates would need to dedicate 45% of their initial earnings to debt repayment under a standard 10-year plan. That's manageable compared to many bachelor's programs, but it's a tight squeeze when starting at just over $24,000 annually. The earnings growth is impressive, yet even at year four, graduates still lag behind top Washington programs like Northwest University (which produces $47,645 earners) by about $9,000.

For families considering Pierce, the question is whether that dramatic income growth compensates for the weak start. If your student needs immediate post-graduation earnings—perhaps to help with living expenses or family obligations—this program's trajectory could create financial stress in those critical first years. It works better as a stepping stone for students who have financial cushion and plan to continue their education or build career momentum over time.