Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Riverside City College

Riverside City College's general studies associate degree shows something noteworthy: while graduates start at modest wages typical for the program ($27,524), they see solid 27% earnings growth to $35,039 by year four. Among California's 133 schools offering this degree, this program ranks in the 60th percentile—comfortably above the state median and outperforming most competitors, though still trailing top performers like National University by about $6,500 at the four-year mark.

The financial picture looks reasonable. At $9,317, debt sits below both state and national averages, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 means graduates owe roughly four months' salary—manageable territory. With a third of students receiving Pell grants, this appears to be serving its community college mission of accessible education. The program won't catapult students into high earnings immediately, but it provides a foundation that allows for meaningful wage progression over time.

For families considering this path, understand you're looking at genuine entry-level wages initially. However, this works as an affordable stepping stone—whether toward a bachelor's degree or into careers where advancement doesn't require four-year credentials. The low debt load makes it a relatively safe bet for students still figuring out their direction or needing to work while building their resume.