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

Winona State's associate program in Liberal Arts produces surprisingly strong outcomes, with graduates earning $46,673 their first year—71% above the national median and 46% above Minnesota's typical earnings for this degree. Among Minnesota's 39 schools offering this program, it ranks in the 80th percentile, trailing only a handful of community colleges that cluster in the $38,000-$42,000 range.

The debt load of $13,062 translates to a 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly 3.3 months of their first-year salary. This is manageable by any standard, particularly for an associate degree that typically gets students into the workforce quickly. Earnings do grow modestly to $48,881 by year four, though the 5% increase suggests many graduates may already be near their earning ceiling with this credential alone.

The major caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances heavily influence the averages. That said, the consistent pattern of strong performance—95th percentile nationally, well above state medians—suggests Winona State either attracts exceptionally capable students to this program or connects them effectively to better-than-average opportunities. For families considering this as an affordable launching point, particularly if the student plans to transfer or add certifications later, the numbers are encouraging. Just understand you're looking at a small sample that may not perfectly predict your child's outcome.