Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University's Liberal Arts associate's program starts slowly—first-year graduates earn just $24,258, falling well below both the national median ($27,248) and Utah's median ($28,089) for these programs. This puts graduates at a meaningful disadvantage compared to peers at Salt Lake Community College or Weber State, where similar degree holders earn $35,000+. While the $9,000 median debt matches the state average and beats the national figure, a 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one is concerning when income is this low.

The saving grace here is substantial earnings growth: graduates see a 56% jump by year four, reaching $37,796. That's a significant improvement and suggests this degree functions more as a stepping stone than an immediate career credential. Still, ranking in just the 40th percentile among Utah's eight schools offering this program means half of in-state alternatives deliver better outcomes.

For parents, the question is whether your student can weather those early years at near-poverty wages while building toward better opportunities. If they're planning to transfer to a four-year program or have financial support during the transition period, the modest debt load makes this manageable. But if they need immediate earnings, stronger options exist within Utah's public system.