Liberal Arts and Sciences at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College

Chicago, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a compact campus enrolling 4,146 students in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,168 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College come in 6% above the national median of $27,616 for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs.

With a 55.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences carry above-average AI exposure (0% of tasks). The 37% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

With first-year pay of $29,168 far exceeding the $5,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #252 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $29,168-to-$43,880 earnings arc over five years reflects a 50% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
48
Score
48
High End
Earnings $29,168/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$482K
10.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
55.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$8,760
Out-of-state: $28,860
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,000
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,880
50% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof

About Liberal Arts and Sciences Careers

Your studies in humanities and sciences can lead to a career shaping minds in higher education. As a community college instructor, your days are focused on the classroom. You’ll craft engaging lectures, lead discussions on foundational texts, and spend afternoons in office hours, helping students one-on-one with their essays and research projects. At a four-year university, your role often expands to include original research, meaning you might spend your mornings teaching a seminar and your afternoons in the library archives, contributing new knowledge to your field by writing articles and books.

Read the full Liberal Arts and Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences Overview

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 48/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?
At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Will AI replace Liberal Arts and Sciences jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Liberal Arts and Sciences work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
How affordable is Liberal Arts and Sciences at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College?
Median debt of just $5,000 against $29,168/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →