Liberal Arts and Sciences at Prairie State College

Chicago Heights, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

with a smaller student body of 2,448 in Chicago Heights, IL.

Program Analysis

Prairie State College Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates command $34,909/yr out of the gate, well above the $27,616 national median. That 26% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 52.0x 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 risk is moderate — 0% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,949 in median debt clears fast against $34,909 in annual earnings.

Ranked #153 out of 830 programs, Prairie State College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $34,909 to $42,077 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
51
Score
51
High End
Earnings $34,909/yr (26% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$435K
4.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.0x
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)
$8,352
Out-of-state: $22,128
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,949
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,077
21% 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 Prairie State College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Prairie State College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Liberal Arts and Sciences field.
How safe is Liberal Arts and Sciences from automation?
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.
What makes Prairie State College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program stand out?
Ranked #153 of 830 programs nationally, Prairie State College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →