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

South Suburban College's liberal arts associate degree produces graduates earning about $5,000 more than the typical Illinois program at the four-year mark, landing in the 60th percentile statewide. At $9,500 in debt—just one-third of first-year earnings—this represents a manageable investment for an associate degree. The 17% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests graduates are finding better footing in the job market as they gain experience.

However, context matters here. Top Illinois community colleges like Prairie State and Lincoln Land see their liberal arts graduates earning over $34,000 within four years, about $5,000 more than South Suburban's outcomes. Since community college tuition rates are similar across the state, distance or convenience might be the only reason to choose South Suburban over these higher-performing alternatives if you're specifically pursuing liberal arts.

The real question is whether a general studies associate degree aligns with your child's goals at all. These programs work best as stepping stones—either to a bachelor's degree or to entry-level work while building skills. If your child plans to transfer, the low debt load makes this viable. If they're planning to enter the workforce directly with this credential, those $28,000-$33,000 earnings reflect the reality of what many service and administrative positions pay. Make sure there's a clear next step.