Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Southside Virginia Community College

Southside Virginia Community College manages to keep debt remarkably low for this general studies certificate—just $5,500 compared to the state median of $9,125. That minimal debt load creates a manageable 0.22 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about three months of gross income. While first-year earnings of $25,214 lag behind the national median by about $1,800, they actually exceed Virginia's median for this credential by over $1,200, placing this program in the 60th percentile statewide.

The catch is that starting salaries remain modest regardless of where you earn this certificate. Even top performers in Virginia like Tidewater and Virginia Peninsula see graduates earning around $31,000—roughly $6,000 more than Southside. That gap matters, but not as much as you might think when factoring in Southside's significantly lower debt burden. The real question is whether this certificate serves as a stepping stone to further education or immediate workforce entry, since general studies credentials typically function better as transfer pathways than terminal degrees.

For families prioritizing affordability while keeping options open, Southside delivers reasonable value. The low debt means graduates can pivot toward either continued education or work without heavy financial constraints, even if the immediate earnings don't impress. Just recognize that the modest salary trajectory is inherent to this type of credential statewide, not just this particular program.