Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Raritan Valley Community College

Raritan Valley's liberal arts associate degree shows a striking pattern: graduates start at just $21,336—well below both the state median of $25,541 and the national median of $27,248—but their earnings more than double within four years to $43,299. That explosive 103% growth suggests many graduates use this degree as a stepping stone, likely transferring to four-year programs or gaining career traction after initially working part-time or entry-level positions. The low starting point explains why this program ranks only in the 25th percentile among New Jersey liberal arts programs, trailing peers like Camden County College and Mercer County Community College.

The bright spot is the debt load: at $5,500, it's roughly half what students at other New Jersey programs typically borrow and well below the national median of $10,950. Even with weak initial earnings, the debt-to-income ratio of 0.26 means graduates aren't facing crushing payments while building their careers. For students planning to transfer to a bachelor's program or those who need an affordable path to higher education, this combination of minimal debt and strong earnings trajectory creates real flexibility.

The key question is whether your student will follow that upward earnings path or remain stuck at the low starting salary. If this is a transfer program toward a bachelor's degree, the low debt makes sense. If it's intended as a terminal degree for immediate full-time work, those first-year earnings are genuinely concerning.