Liberal Arts and Sciences at South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

with a smaller student body of 2,692 in Olympia, WA.

Program Analysis

At $29,056 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from South Puget Sound Community College earn slightly above the $27,616 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 49.2x 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.

The median debt load of $10,998 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #381 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, South Puget Sound Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $45,233 show a 56% jump from the $29,056 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
46
Score
46
High End
Earnings $29,056/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$503K
11.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
49.2x
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)
$10,206
Out-of-state: $11,274
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,998
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,233
56% 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 Puget Sound Community 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 does a 46/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at South Puget Sound Community College?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 →