Liberal Arts and Sciences at Dutchess Community College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a compact campus enrolling 3,696 students in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,095/yr fall 20% below the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 36.3x 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 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

At $9,779 in median debt against $22,095 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #701 out of 830 programs, Dutchess Community College's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $22,095 to $37,926 over five years (72% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

38 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
38
Score
37
High End
Earnings $22,095/yr (-20% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$388K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
36.3x
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)
$10,692
Out-of-state: $20,292
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,779
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,926
72% 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 Dutchess Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 38/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Dutchess Community College?
At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How safe is Liberal Arts and Sciences from automation?
Highly resilient. Liberal Arts and Sciences careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Is Dutchess Community College a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Dutchess Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →