Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University's associate degree in Liberal Arts produces earnings that should make other Florida community colleges take notice. At $41,989 in first-year earnings, graduates earn 56% more than the state median and outpace even the top community college programs in Florida by over $10,000 annually. This places it in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide—exceptional performance for a general studies associate degree.

The tradeoff is higher debt at $23,687, roughly 2.5 times the state median. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 remains manageable, and earnings continue climbing to $45,328 by year four. The real question is what's driving these unusually strong outcomes. Saint Leo's private university resources and career networks likely play a role, and this may appeal to students seeking more than a traditional community college experience—but you're paying for it upfront through higher borrowing.

For families who can afford minimal additional support beyond loans, this path works: strong earnings from day one make the debt serviceable. But if your child is debt-averse or uncertain about their direction, Florida's top community colleges deliver solid outcomes at a fraction of the cost. The premium here buys genuine earnings advantage, not just prestige.