Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Wilkes Community College

Wilkes Community College's general studies program starts graduates at roughly 40% below what top-performing NC programs achieve, but the low debt load makes this a manageable financial risk. At $7,250 in debt against first-year earnings of $25,681, graduates face payments they can realistically handle—far below both the national and state medians for this degree.

The 33% earnings jump from year one to year four tells an important story: graduates nearly close the gap with state averages through career progression, reaching $34,123 by the four-year mark. That's typical for community college transfers who complete bachelor's degrees or workers who gain experience in administrative, healthcare support, or public sector roles. However, starting at $25,681 means a lean first few years, particularly for the 29% of students from Pell-eligible families who may lack financial cushions.

For families weighing this associate degree as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint, the numbers work. The minimal debt won't constrain future educational decisions, and the earnings trajectory suggests graduates find pathways to better opportunities. If your child plans to transfer for a bachelor's degree, this is low-cost preparation. But if this is the terminal degree, understand they'll likely start in positions paying less than $13 per hour, with meaningful income growth coming only after several years in the workforce.