Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

This associate's degree starts rough but shows impressive trajectory—graduates nearly double their earnings within four years, jumping from $25,231 to $41,516. That 65% growth rate suggests this two-year program successfully positions students for career advancement, whether through job promotions or as a stepping stone to further education. The $12,000 debt load is manageable given that stronger four-year outcome.

The catch? At the 25th percentile among Wisconsin liberal arts associate programs, UW-Stevens Point trails state peers by about $5,000 at graduation. You're paying slightly above the state median debt ($12,000 vs. $11,909) for below-median initial results. Schools like UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater deliver substantially better first-year outcomes, suggesting either stronger employer connections or more career-focused curricula within their liberal arts programs.

That four-year earnings jump to $41,516 salvages the picture—if your student plans to work immediately after graduation and build skills on the job, the initial earnings gap matters less. But families banking on this associate degree as a complete credential should know Wisconsin offers stronger alternatives at comparable debt levels. This works best as part of a longer educational plan rather than a terminal degree.