Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Hartford

That $6,992 first-year earnings figure—less than minimum wage—should immediately raise red flags, even accounting for the small sample size. While earnings do eventually climb to a more reasonable $34,657 by year four, this program ranks in just the 10th percentile among Connecticut's liberal arts associate programs, trailing the state median of $16,032. Connecticut State Community College's graduates in this field earn $25,000+ right out the gate, suggesting something is off with either University of Hartford's program structure or its job placement support for associate-level students.

The modest $12,000 debt load is the only bright spot here, sitting below the state median. But when your first-year earnings barely cover three months of rent, even manageable debt becomes a burden. The 396% earnings growth sounds dramatic until you realize it's just catching up to what other programs deliver immediately. For reference, this program performs worse than 95% of similar programs nationally—a concerning distinction at any institution, let alone one charging private university rates for an associate degree.

If your student is set on University of Hartford, they should pursue a bachelor's program instead. For an associate in liberal arts in Connecticut, the community college system offers dramatically better early-career outcomes at lower cost. The data here, while limited, tells a consistent story about value that's hard to ignore.