Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at St. Augustine College

St. Augustine College delivers something increasingly rare for liberal arts associate degrees: remarkably low debt combined with earnings that beat both state and national benchmarks. At just $4,750 in median debt—less than half the Illinois average and a fifth of the national figure—graduates leave with minimal financial burden while earning above the 60th percentile compared to peer programs in the state.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth, climbing 10% from first to fourth year, though still trailing the top Illinois community colleges by $3,000-6,000 annually. That gap matters less than it might elsewhere because of the debt advantage. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16, most graduates could realistically pay off their loans within months rather than years, fundamentally changing the risk profile of this degree. For a student body where 73% receive Pell grants, this minimal debt load is particularly significant.

The reality here is straightforward: this program won't maximize immediate earnings, but it offers a legitimate low-risk pathway to credentials and labor market entry. Parents concerned about educational debt burdening their child should note that this represents one of the most affordable liberal arts options in Illinois, with earnings that still exceed what most similar programs deliver nationally.