Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

University of Cincinnati's Liberal Arts associate's program charges nearly double the typical debt ($20,500 vs. $10,950 nationally) while delivering below-median earnings for Ohio—a problematic combination for what's fundamentally an exploratory degree. That 40th percentile ranking among Ohio schools is telling: graduates earn $31,462, falling short of the state's $33,847 median, even as several Ohio University regional campuses consistently place students above $36,900. The debt load, meanwhile, sits in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with less debt.

The 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic for an associate's degree, and UC's relatively strong national ranking (79th percentile) suggests the curriculum itself has merit. But this reflects how weak liberal arts associate's outcomes are across the country rather than UC's particular excellence. With an 88% admission rate, families aren't paying for selectivity either.

For an associate's degree that should serve as an affordable exploration tool or transfer springboard, accumulating over $20,000 in debt undermines the fundamental purpose. Ohio families have access to community colleges and regional campuses offering this same degree at half the cost with comparable or better earnings outcomes. Unless UC offers specific transfer agreements or resources that justify the premium, this looks like an expensive way to figure out what comes next.