Liberal Arts and Sciences at South Central College

North Mankato, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a smaller institution with 1,890 students in North Mankato, MN.

Program Analysis

South Central College's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $32,719/yr — above the $27,616 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 37.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 26% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Liberal Arts and Sciences career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,000 in median debt clears fast against $32,719 in annual earnings.

A #365 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places South Central College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 33% earnings increase from $32,719 to $43,664 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
46
Score
46
High End
Earnings $32,719/yr (18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$462K
7.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
37.6x
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
$12,292
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,664
33% 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 South Central College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at South Central College?
A score of 46/100 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?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Liberal Arts and Sciences work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →