Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Rochester Community and Technical College

Rochester Community and Technical College's liberal arts associate degree punches well above its weight nationally—graduates earn $34,094 in their first year, placing them in the 91st percentile compared to similar programs across the country. That's $6,800 more than the national median for this degree. The debt load of $13,250 is reasonable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 that most graduates should manage comfortably.

The picture within Minnesota is more nuanced. While RCTC performs solidly at the 60th percentile among state programs, it trails the top-tier schools by $7,000-$12,000. Still, four-year earnings growth of 15% suggests graduates find their footing in the workforce, reaching nearly $40,000 by year four. For families prioritizing affordability while keeping transfer options open, this represents a practical choice—you're getting strong value relative to national alternatives without the premium cost of a four-year institution.

The key consideration: if your student plans to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree, this provides a cost-effective foundation. If they plan to enter the workforce directly with an associate degree, they'll likely need additional training or credentials to reach the earning potential of Minnesota's top programs in this field.