Liberal Arts and Sciences at East Central Community College

Decatur, MS · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a compact campus enrolling 1,584 students in Decatur, MS.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $17,810/yr fall 36% below the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 40.4x 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 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $5,279 in median debt against $17,810 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #727 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places East Central Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $17,810-to-$36,481 earnings arc over five years reflects a 105% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
34
Low End
37
Score
37
High End
Earnings $17,810/yr (-36% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$313K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
40.4x
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)
$7,730
Out-of-state: $11,930
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,279
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,481
105% 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 East Central 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at East Central Community College?
At 37/100, 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?
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.
What's the typical debt for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from East Central Community College?
Median debt of just $5,279 against $17,810/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 4 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is East Central Community College a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at East Central 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 →