Liberal Arts and Sciences at Ocean County College

Toms River, NJ · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

serving 5,566 students in Toms River, NJ.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $25,647/yr, roughly in line with the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 48.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 0% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

With first-year pay of $25,647 far exceeding the $11,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #499 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Ocean County College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $42,404 show a 65% jump from the $25,647 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
43
Score
43
High End
Earnings $25,647/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$450K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
48.0x
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)
$9,380
Out-of-state: $13,700
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,404
65% 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 Ocean County College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Ocean County College?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →