Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake Community College's liberal arts program dramatically outperforms expectations, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings—a remarkable achievement for an associate degree program typically seen as a stepping stone rather than a career launcher. Graduates earn $35,804 in their first year, significantly above both the national median of $27,248 and Utah's median of $28,089. Among Utah's eight liberal arts programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile, trailing only Weber State among the comparison schools.

The financial picture is equally compelling. With just $8,000 in median debt, students face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22—meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in about three months of gross earnings. While the debt load sits in the 79th percentile nationally (meaning it's higher than many programs), the strong earnings more than compensate. The 22% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates successfully leverage their degree for career advancement.

This program offers exceptional value for students seeking an affordable pathway to solid middle-class earnings. The combination of strong immediate job market outcomes, manageable debt, and meaningful earnings growth makes this one of Utah's standout community college programs.