Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Southeast Arkansas College

Southeast Arkansas College's liberal arts certificate program faces a tough reality: at $24,880 in first-year earnings, it trails not just the national median by $2,144, but also falls short of Arkansas's state median of $27,422. Among the state's 24 similar programs, it ranks in just the 40th percentile—meaning students at NorthWest Arkansas Community College earn nearly $7,000 more in their first year. This gap is particularly concerning given that 63% of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many can least afford below-average outcomes.

The program does have one genuine advantage: relatively low debt. At $14,484, students borrow less than half of what they'll earn in their first year, and significantly less than the typical national debt load of $9,375... wait, that's backwards. Actually, students here borrow *more* than the national median, though their 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable. Still, when nearby community colleges deliver similar or lower debt loads with substantially higher earnings, the comparison isn't favorable.

For families considering this certificate, understand that it's a credential serving mainly local employment needs at below-market wages. If your student has the flexibility to commute to Fayetteville or explore options at other Arkansas community colleges, they're likely to see better returns. If geography or circumstances make Southeast Arkansas College the only realistic option, keep expectations modest and minimize borrowing.