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

Southwest Virginia Community College's liberal arts associate degree shows exactly why community colleges remain critical for working-class students: rock-bottom debt ($5,500) paired with earnings that, while modest, grow meaningfully over time. The program ranks in the 40th percentile among Virginia's 33 liberal arts offerings—essentially middle-of-the-pack—but the debt load lands in the 95th percentile nationally, meaning only 5% of similar programs leave graduates with less to repay.

The earnings trajectory tells an important story. Starting at $23,756, graduates see a 22% jump to $28,976 by year four, suggesting they're gaining traction in the workforce even without a bachelor's degree. That's about $4,000 below the state median for this program, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 means graduates owe less than three months' salary—a manageable burden that won't derail other life goals. With 45% of students receiving Pell grants, this access matters.

For families in Southwest Virginia, this program functions as an affordable stepping stone. It won't match the $32,000+ earnings seen at Northern Virginia Community College (where regional job markets differ dramatically), but it delivers credential access without the debt trap that swallows so many associate degree holders elsewhere. If your child plans to transfer to a four-year school or needs immediate workforce entry with minimal financial risk, this represents solid value for the region.