Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Snow College

Snow College graduates start at $21,687—well below both Utah's median ($28,089) and the national benchmark ($27,248) for associate's in liberal arts. Among Utah's eight programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile. That's a significant gap when students at Salt Lake Community College or Weber State earn 60% more right out of the gate with the same degree type.

The saving grace here is twofold: extraordinarily low debt and strong earnings trajectory. At $6,521, graduates carry half the state median debt and are in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with heavier loads. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 is manageable even with those modest starting wages. More importantly, earnings jump 34% to $29,093 by year four, closing much of that initial gap with state peers. That growth pattern suggests graduates are finding their footing in the workforce after what appears to be a slower launch.

The question is whether starting so far behind is worth the debt savings, especially when other Utah schools deliver both higher starting salaries and reasonable debt levels. For families confident their student will advance quickly or who prioritize minimal borrowing above all else, Snow works. But if immediate earning power matters—say, for a student supporting themselves or helping family—the other Utah programs offer a stronger financial foundation from day one.