Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

enrolling 10,530 students in Grand Rapids, MI.

Program Analysis

At $33,777 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Grand Rapids Community College earn slightly above the $27,616 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 52.9x 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 risk is moderate — 0% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

The median debt load of $9,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #155 out of 830 programs, Grand Rapids Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $33,777 to $41,407 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
51
Score
50
High End
Earnings $33,777/yr (22% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$429K
5.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.9x
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)
$8,118
Out-of-state: $23,718
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,407
23% 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 Grand Rapids Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Grand Rapids Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Liberal Arts and Sciences field.
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.
How affordable is Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Rapids Community College?
At $9,000 in median debt, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Grand Rapids Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Grand Rapids Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program stand out?
Among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Grand Rapids Community College's #155 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →