Liberal Arts and Sciences at Raritan Valley Community College

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

enrolling 5,272 students in Branchburg, NJ.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $21,336 place Raritan Valley Community College below the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 33.9x 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.

Median debt of $11,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $21,336 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #728 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Raritan Valley Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $48,826 show a 129% jump from the $21,336 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
34
Low End
37
Score
36
High End
Earnings $21,336/yr (-23% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$374K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
33.9x
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)
$11,040
Out-of-state: $14,880
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,826
129% 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 Raritan Valley 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 Raritan Valley Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
A score of 37/100 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.
Is Raritan Valley Community College a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Raritan Valley Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →