Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Akron Wayne College

University of Akron Wayne College's Liberal Arts associate's degree presents a puzzling contradiction: graduates earn well above the national average for this program but lag behind other Ohio schools while carrying relatively high debt. At $31,901 in first-year earnings, graduates beat the national median by $4,600—placing them in the 81st percentile nationally. However, they fall below Ohio's state median of $33,847, ranking only in the 40th percentile among in-state options. The $23,112 in debt is more than double the national median for this program and well above Ohio's $17,500 median.

The concerning element here is value relative to alternatives. Several Ohio community colleges place graduates into similar first-year earnings with significantly less debt burden. The 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't disastrous—earnings do grow to $37,211 by year four—but parents should question why this program costs substantially more than comparable associate's degrees across Ohio. With 76 schools offering this credential statewide, students have options that might deliver similar outcomes without the premium price tag.

For Ohio families, this program works adequately if location in Orrville matters significantly to your child. But from a pure return-on-investment perspective, it's worth comparing financial aid packages against other Ohio community colleges before committing.