Liberal Arts and Sciences at Pearl River Community College

Poplarville, MS · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a smaller institution with 4,725 students in Poplarville, MS.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,354 place Pearl River Community College below the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 46.5x 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 $19,354 far exceeding the $7,964 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #670 out of 830 programs, Pearl River 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 $19,354 to $33,081 over five years (71% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
36
Low End
39
Score
39
High End
Earnings $19,354/yr (-30% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$340K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.5x
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)
$7,300
Out-of-state: $11,300
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,964
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,081
71% 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 Pearl River Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pearl River Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
At 39/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts and Sciences?
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.
Can you still earn well with Liberal Arts and Sciences from Pearl River Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →