Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Saint Paul College

Saint Paul College's liberal arts associate program shows something unusual: while graduates start significantly below most Minnesota peers, their four-year earnings trajectory is stronger than the raw numbers suggest. First-year earnings of $25,100 place this program in just the 25th percentile statewide—well behind the Minnesota median of $32,056 and schools like Winona State that nearly double these starting figures. That's a notable gap in a state where this program typically delivers solid outcomes.

The stronger story emerges in the earnings growth: a 54% jump to $38,535 by year four indicates graduates gain traction in the labor market, though they're still playing catch-up. The debt picture is more favorable—$15,827 is manageable at 0.63 times first-year earnings and actually sits in the 14th percentile nationally for debt (meaning 86% of similar programs carry higher debt loads). For a school where 40% of students receive Pell grants, this relatively low debt burden matters.

The real question is whether that slow start justifies the investment when other Minnesota community colleges consistently deliver $38,000+ from year one. If your child has strong reasons to attend Saint Paul College—location, specific support services, or immediate employment lined up—the low debt keeps this viable. But purely on earnings potential, other in-state options provide a significant head start that this program struggles to overcome.