Liberal Arts and Sciences at Howard Community College

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

with a mid-sized student body of 6,779 in Columbia, MD.

Program Analysis

At $22,042 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Howard Community College earn below the $27,616 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 47.4x 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.

The median debt load of $9,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #594 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Howard Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $22,042-to-$51,376 earnings arc over five years reflects a 133% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
37
Low End
41
Score
40
High End
Earnings $22,042/yr (-20% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$387K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
47.4x
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)
$8,160
Out-of-state: $17,952
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,376
133% 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 Howard 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

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Howard Community College?
At 41/100, 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.
Why are Liberal Arts and Sciences earnings lower at Howard Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Howard Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →