Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Wichita State University

Wichita State's liberal arts associate degree outperforms 74% of similar programs nationally, but that comes with a significant caveat: the $24,694 debt load is among the highest in the country for this credential—ranking in just the 5th percentile. That's more than double what comparable students borrow at other Kansas schools ($9,500 median).

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story. First-year earnings of $30,331 jump 37% to $41,587 by year four, suggesting graduates successfully leverage this degree as a stepping stone to better opportunities. This growth pattern is considerably stronger than the typical associate degree holder experiences. However, the debt burden means graduates will likely spend their early career years managing loan payments that would be unnecessary at Kansas community colleges, where students in the same program borrow half as much while earning similar wages.

The real question is whether the four-year university environment justifies doubling your borrowing costs. If your child plans to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree at Wichita State, this path might make sense for continuity. But if they're entering the workforce directly after two years, the top Kansas community colleges deliver comparable earnings with far less debt—a better foundation for young adults starting their financial lives.