Associate+2% vs national median3,289 grads tracked
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Palo Alto College
Ranked 135th of 509 associate programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$31,444
middle 50%: $22,777 – $45,057
Median · 5 years out
$48,028
middle 50%: $33,799 – $65,426
Median · 10 years out
$59,890
middle 50%: $42,622 – $74,279
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (associate) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Liberal Arts associate degree holders earn a median of $31k in year one. Ten-year earnings reach $60k.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
8.9 yrs
≈ $10,758 total interest
Same major at other universities
Portland Community College
$48,319 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Vista College
$48,256 · 5 yrs out
Manchester Community College
$48,234 · 5 yrs out
Victoria College
$48,181 · 5 yrs out
Rose State College
$48,165 · 5 yrs out
Redlands Community College
$48,072 · 5 yrs out
University of Hartford
$48,008 · 5 yrs out
Rockland Community College
$47,949 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Bronx Community College
$47,942 · 5 yrs out
Northern Essex Community College
$47,845 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 1
$47,802 · 5 yrs out
University of North Georgia
$47,748 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Palo Alto College
Engineering (Associate)
$87,351 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$64,834 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$62,224 · 5 yrs out
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (Associate)
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$56,272 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Associate)
$55,746 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Associate)
$55,746 · 5 yrs out
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services (Certificate)
$55,181 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate)
$54,286 · 5 yrs out
Marketing (Associate)
$53,921 · 5 yrs out
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Associate)
$53,793 · 5 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Associate)
$53,094 · 5 yrs out