Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Seminole State College

Is it worth borrowing money for a general studies degree? At Seminole State College, graduates carry $8,610 in debt—about $4,000 less than the Oklahoma median for this program—but earn less than $27,000 a year starting out. The debt burden is manageable at just 32% of first-year earnings, which means most graduates could realistically pay it off within a couple of years. Among Oklahoma's 23 programs, Seminole State ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, which sounds decent until you see that Oklahoma City Community College graduates in the same program earn $34,626, nearly $8,000 more annually.

The bigger question is whether this degree provides enough career traction. Earnings do grow to $28,290 by year four, but that's still below $30,000—and these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so they may not represent a typical outcome. For students who need an affordable path to a bachelor's degree, or who plan to transfer to a four-year school, this works as a low-cost stepping stone. But if your child expects an associate's degree to lead directly to meaningful employment, the limited earning potential suggests they'll need additional credentials or training to reach a livable wage in Oklahoma.