Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Red Rocks Community College

Red Rocks' Liberal Arts associate's degree starts modestly at $27,242 but climbs to over $40,000 by year four—a 47% jump that outpaces typical wage progression for this credential. That strong earnings trajectory matters more than the below-average first-year number, especially given the relatively modest $11,913 in debt. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, graduates owe less than half their starting salary, leaving room for that growth to translate into real financial progress.

The caveat: this program ranks in the 40th percentile among Colorado's liberal arts programs, trailing competitors like Community College of Aurora and Arapahoe Community College by $11,000-$12,000 in later earnings. Students who stay local after graduation may find themselves at a disadvantage compared to graduates from nearby community colleges. Still, the strong growth pattern suggests graduates who start here can build momentum through work experience or further education.

For families comfortable with a slower start in exchange for manageable debt, Red Rocks offers a reasonable path forward. But if maximizing Colorado earnings potential matters—and tuition differences are minimal across community colleges—the data suggests looking at Arapahoe or Aurora first.