Liberal Arts and Sciences at San Diego Mesa College

San Diego, CA · Public · Certificate · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

enrolling 15,899 students in San Diego, CA.

Program Analysis

At $33,015 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from San Diego Mesa College earn slightly above the $27,616 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 493.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences carry above-average AI exposure (0% of tasks). The 39% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

Among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally, San Diego Mesa College ranks #9 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

The $33,015-to-$51,171 earnings arc over five years reflects a 55% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
62
Score
62
High End
Earnings $33,015/yr (20% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$568K
11.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
493.6x
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)
$1,150
Out-of-state: $9,094
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,171
55% 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 San Diego Mesa College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at San Diego Mesa College?
A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Liberal Arts and Sciences field.
Will AI replace Liberal Arts and Sciences jobs?
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.
Why does San Diego Mesa College rank so high for Liberal Arts and Sciences?
Ranked #9 of 830 programs nationally, San Diego Mesa College lands in the top 1%. 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 →