Liberal Arts and Sciences at North Iowa Area Community College

Mason City, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a compact campus enrolling 1,271 students in Mason City, IA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $27,433/yr, roughly in line with the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 37.4x 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 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

With first-year pay of $27,433 far exceeding the $8,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #540 out of 830 programs, North Iowa Area 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 $27,433 to $44,163 over five years (61% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
39
Low End
42
Score
42
High End
Earnings $27,433/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$481K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
37.4x
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)
$12,872
Out-of-state: $18,490
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,250
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,163
61% 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 North Iowa Area Community College

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 North Iowa Area Community College?
A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How safe is Liberal Arts and Sciences from automation?
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.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →