Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Rockland Community College

Rockland Community College's liberal arts associate's program starts rough but tells an unusually strong recovery story. First-year earnings of $21,840 lag significantly behind both the national median ($27,248) and New York's average ($23,613). But by year four, graduates reach $37,367—a 71% jump that outpaces typical trajectory for this degree. That places this program at the 40th percentile statewide, respectable given the weak start.

The $8,390 in median debt is refreshingly low compared to the state median of $11,000, making this one of the more affordable liberal arts options in New York. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under five months of gross first-year earnings—manageable even during that difficult initial period. For families treating this as a stepping stone degree, that financial flexibility matters.

The real question is whether your child will stay the course through those lean early years. Many students with associate's degrees continue to bachelor's programs or gain work experience that drives earnings up, but that first year looks particularly challenging at Rockland compared to stronger SUNY community colleges like Westchester or Hudson Valley. If your child plans to transfer quickly or has support to weather low initial earnings, the low debt and strong growth trajectory make this a defensible choice. If they need immediate earning power post-graduation, look elsewhere.