Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Texas Southmost College

Texas Southmost College graduates from this program earn roughly $5,000 less annually than typical Texas associate's degree holders in liberal arts—a meaningful gap that persists even four years out. While the program ranks in just the 25th percentile among Texas schools, the state's strongest performers (like Central Texas College at nearly $40,000) demonstrate that associate-level liberal arts programs can yield substantially better outcomes. The $11,000 debt burden sits near the national median, but when paired with $22,000 first-year earnings, it means graduates need about six months of gross income just to cover their loans.

The 14% earnings growth to $25,000 by year four suggests some upward mobility, yet this still trails the Texas median by $2,000 annually. For context, Brownsville's lower cost of living may make these earnings more viable locally, but the gap between this program and peer institutions across Texas remains stark. The moderate sample size gives reasonable confidence in these numbers, though individual outcomes will vary.

For families considering this path, the key question is whether Brownsville's location and accessibility justify accepting below-average earnings potential. If staying local is essential, understand that this program delivers earnings well below what similar degrees produce elsewhere in Texas. If mobility is an option, other community colleges in the state offer meaningfully stronger financial returns for the same degree.