Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at South Piedmont Community College

That $10,513 first-year figure is alarming—this program ranks in just the 10th percentile among North Carolina's 66 liberal arts associate programs. While earnings jump dramatically by year four to $36,557, that initial year suggests many graduates struggle to find immediate employment or face significant underemployment. Compare this to Randolph Community College's liberal arts grads earning $40,145, and the gap becomes stark. The debt load of $7,500 matches the state median, but paired with such weak initial earnings, it creates real financial pressure during that crucial first year.

The explosive 248% earnings growth tells an unusual story: graduates who stick it out see substantial improvement, but that first year could derail students who can't weather the income drought. By year four, outcomes approach the top NC programs, but you're gambling on your child's ability to either continue their education immediately or find work that pays the bills while they build toward better opportunities. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds another layer of uncertainty—these numbers might not represent typical outcomes.

If your child plans to transfer to a four-year school right away, this program could work as an affordable bridge. But if they need to work after graduation, the weak first-year outcomes compared to other North Carolina community colleges suggest looking elsewhere for better immediate employment prospects.