Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Pima Community College
Associate's Degree
pima.eduAnalysis
Pima Community College's Liberal Arts program outperforms most similar programs nationally, with graduates earning $31,002 in their first year—significantly above the national median of $27,248 and ranking in the 77th percentile nationwide. The debt load of $8,939 is reasonable for an associate degree, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 that allows graduates to pay off their investment relatively quickly.
Within Arizona, the picture is more competitive. While Pima matches the state median for first-year earnings, it sits in the middle of the pack among Arizona's 25 programs. Top performers like Mesa Community College ($46,084) and Yavapai College ($36,742) deliver substantially higher returns, though Pima's graduates do see solid 25% earnings growth over four years, reaching $38,613 by year four.
For parents considering this program, Pima offers a solid foundation with low financial risk—the debt burden is manageable and earnings exceed national expectations. However, if your student has strong academic credentials and could gain admission to Mesa or Yavapai, those programs offer significantly better earning potential. This makes Pima a reasonable choice for students seeking an affordable liberal arts education, but not necessarily the strongest value proposition in Arizona's community college landscape.
Where Pima Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Pima Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pima Community College | $31,002 | $38,613 | +25% |
| Mesa Community College | $46,084 | $43,433 | -6% |
| Phoenix College | $31,709 | $41,364 | +30% |
| Scottsdale Community College | $31,759 | $40,404 | +27% |
| Glendale Community College | $27,548 | $39,127 | +42% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Arizona
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities associates's programs at peer institutions in Arizona (25 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pima Community CollegeTucson | $2,370 | $31,002 | $38,613 | $8,939 | 0.29 |
 Mesa Community CollegeMesa | $2,358 | $46,084 | $43,433 | $10,500 | 0.23 |
 Yavapai CollegePrescott | $2,838 | $36,742 | $29,664 | $9,946 | 0.27 |
 Mohave Community CollegeKingman | $2,136 | $34,557 | $31,710 | $15,000 | 0.43 |
 Chandler-Gilbert Community CollegeChandler | $2,358 | $33,709 | $38,139 | $6,625 | 0.20 |
 Scottsdale Community CollegeScottsdale | $2,358 | $31,759 | $40,404 | $11,000 | 0.35 |
| National Median | — | $27,248 | — | $10,950 | 0.40 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Pima Community College, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 338 graduates with reported earnings and 640 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.