Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Saint Johns River State College

Saint Johns River State College's Liberal Arts associate degree starts slow but gains momentum—first-year earnings of $26,738 jump 35% to $36,166 by year four. That earnings trajectory stands out, though the starting point trails both the Florida state median ($26,978) and national average ($27,248). At the 40th percentile statewide, this program lands solidly in the bottom half of Florida's 55 liberal arts offerings, lagging behind community college peers like Florida State College at Jacksonville ($30,678) and Hillsborough ($30,406).

The $10,168 debt load is reasonable but not exceptional—it's slightly above Florida's median for this degree ($9,250) and below the national figure ($10,950). The 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about five months of their first-year salary, a manageable burden. Combined with robust sample size giving confidence in these numbers, the financial risk stays contained even as graduates navigate that slow start.

For families prioritizing affordability and eventual earnings growth over immediate income, this works. But if your child needs strong earning power right after graduation—to support themselves independently or begin paying down debt quickly—programs at nearby competitors deliver $3,000-$4,000 more annually from day one. That gap matters when starting salaries barely cover basic living expenses in Florida.