Liberal Arts and Sciences at College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, MD · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

with a smaller student body of 4,422 in La Plata, MD.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,862 at College of Southern Maryland come in 8% above the national median of $27,616 for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs.

The 61.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 0% of job tasks, producing a 39% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

With first-year pay of $29,862 far exceeding the $11,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #186 out of 830 programs, College of Southern Maryland's Liberal Arts and Sciences program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $29,862 to $46,413 over five years (55% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
50
Score
50
High End
Earnings $29,862/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$515K
11.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
61.4x
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)
$8,400
Out-of-state: $18,900
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,413
55% 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 College of Southern Maryland

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at College of Southern Maryland?
This program scores 50/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.
Will AI replace Liberal Arts and Sciences jobs?
Liberal Arts and Sciences rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 0% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Why does College of Southern Maryland rank so high for Liberal Arts and Sciences?
The #186 ranking out of 830 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →