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

Spokane Community College's Liberal Arts associate's degree stands out nationally—graduates earn $34,583 in their first year, placing them in the 93rd percentile compared to similar programs across the country. That's more than $7,000 above the national median for this degree. The catch? Students here take on significantly more debt ($16,455) than the state median of $9,500, though this still translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48.

Within Washington state, the picture is more nuanced. While Spokane ranks at the 60th percentile among the state's 38 liberal arts programs, several community colleges deliver comparable or better earnings with substantially less debt. Highline College and Everett Community College, for instance, both produce graduates earning over $30,000 with typical debt closer to the state median. The earnings growth here is solid—an 11% increase from year one to year four—suggesting graduates gain traction in the job market.

For families, this is a premium-priced option in a category where lower-cost alternatives often deliver similar outcomes. If your student is already committed to Spokane for location or program fit, the earnings performance justifies the investment. But if flexibility exists, exploring other Washington community colleges offering this degree could achieve comparable career outcomes with less financial burden.