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

Umpqua Community College offers a general studies associate's degree that tracks right at the national median—$27,211 in first-year earnings—but performs modestly better within Oregon, landing at the 60th percentile among the state's 22 programs. That's noteworthy for families considering in-state options, as it means graduates typically out-earn those from most comparable Oregon community colleges, though they're still trailing schools like Portland Community College by about $3,600. The $10,437 in median debt is also below the state average ($12,208), making this one of the more affordable paths to an associate's degree in Oregon.

The 15% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests graduates are finding traction in the job market, moving from roughly $27,000 to over $31,000—a trajectory that helps offset the initial modest earnings. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, most graduates should be able to manage repayment within a few years, especially given Oregon's lack of sales tax which helps stretch take-home pay.

The bottom line: this is a solid, low-risk option for students who need an affordable stepping stone—whether for transfer to a four-year school or immediate workforce entry. It won't catapult anyone into high earnings, but it delivers what it promises without saddling students with burdensome debt.