Liberal Arts and Sciences at Parkland College
a compact campus enrolling 3,293 students in Champaign, IL.
Program Analysis
Graduates earn $26,912/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 48.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.
The 32% 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 $26,912 far exceeding the $8,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #440 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Parkland College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $26,912 to $38,337 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Liberal Arts and Sciences Overview
Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools
Other Majors at Parkland College
Explore the Degree Alternative
Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.