Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at South Plains College

South Plains College's associate program in Liberal Arts falls significantly behind both Texas and national benchmarks, with graduates earning just $19,469 in their first year—roughly $8,000 less than the Texas median and landing in the bottom 5th percentile nationally. Even within Texas, where this program ranks in just the 25th percentile, nearby community colleges like Austin and Howard achieve nearly double these first-year outcomes. The moderate debt load of $13,446 might seem manageable in isolation, but it represents 69% of that first year's income, creating real financial stress for graduates trying to establish themselves.

The 80% earnings jump to $34,944 by year four offers some hope—that's actually above the state median and suggests graduates eventually find their footing. However, three years of below-market earnings is a long runway, especially for the 40% of students here receiving Pell grants who likely have limited financial cushion. The gap between South Plains and higher-performing Texas community colleges raises questions about local labor market conditions in Levelland versus more urban areas, or differences in student support and job placement.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether there are compelling reasons to choose South Plains over better-performing community colleges in Texas. If location or cost makes this the only viable option, students should plan for several years of financial constraint and consider whether a more vocational associate degree might offer a faster return.