Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Ulster County Community College

Ulster County Community College's Liberal Arts associate degree shows an unusual trajectory: graduates start well below the national average at $24,015, but by year four they're earning $34,672—a 44% jump that outpaces typical Liberal Arts programs. Here's the catch: that first year is rough financially, landing in just the 26th percentile nationally. However, among New York's 74 similar programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, meaning it actually beats most in-state options despite lagging the country overall.

The $8,750 in typical debt is reasonable but not spectacular—you're still paying less than the state and national medians. That 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one reflects the low starting salary more than excessive borrowing. The relatively strong earnings growth suggests graduates either transfer successfully to four-year programs or find their footing in the workforce after a slow start. Compare this to top NY performers like Maria College ($60,857) or even Hudson Valley Community College ($28,464), and the gap is significant.

This program makes most sense if you're planning to transfer and the modest debt won't compound with additional borrowing. If your child intends to work immediately after the associate degree, the weak first-year earnings are a genuine concern—they'll need financial support or a plan to keep costs minimal during that transition period.