Liberal Arts and Sciences at Rend Lake College

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

a compact campus enrolling 1,196 students in Ina, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,219 track close to the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 47.7x 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 39% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

At #485 out of 830 programs, Rend Lake College's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,219 to $38,803 over five years (54% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
43
Score
43
High End
Earnings $25,219/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$429K
11.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
47.7x
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)
$9,000
Out-of-state: $15,600
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,803
54% 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 Rend Lake College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Rend Lake College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Liberal Arts and Sciences jobs?
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.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →