Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Southeastern Community College

Southeastern Community College's associate program starts graduates at $24,968—below both the Iowa median ($28,291) and national average ($27,248) for this degree. However, the story shifts dramatically by year four, when earnings jump 33% to $33,189. That puts graduates ahead of the typical first-year earnings at all but one Iowa community college offering this program, though it's worth noting those comparisons use initial rather than four-year earnings.

The $11,000 debt load is essentially average for this degree, creating a manageable 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates can handle even in that challenging first year. The real question is what drives that earnings surge. General studies associate degrees typically serve as stepping stones—either to bachelor's programs or specific career paths—so these numbers likely reflect graduates who transferred and completed further credentials or found their footing in career tracks that value general education skills.

For families treating this as a two-year endpoint, the initially modest earnings should give pause. But as a foundation for further education or career exploration with minimal debt, Southeastern offers a low-risk option that appears to pay off for those who leverage it strategically. The earnings trajectory suggests most graduates are doing exactly that.