Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at San Jacinto Community College

San Jacinto Community College's Liberal Arts associate degree stands out for something unusual in this field: genuine income growth. Graduates see their earnings jump 33% between year one and year four—from $27,792 to $37,033—a trajectory that outpaces what most community college liberal arts programs deliver. With modest debt of $9,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, the financial hurdle here is manageable, not crushing.

The program performs solidly among Texas options, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. While it trails top performers like Central Texas College by about $10,000 in four-year earnings, it surpasses the state median and provides better debt terms than most Texas peers. For Houston-area students especially, this represents accessible education with real economic traction—the kind of outcome you hope for when choosing a community college path.

The key here is understanding what you're buying: an affordable foundation that gets better with time. This isn't a credential that immediately lands high-paying work, but the earnings trajectory suggests graduates are building skills and credentials that matter in the job market. For families seeking low-risk entry into higher education—particularly given the 30% Pell Grant population this school serves—San Jacinto offers a financially sound starting point.