Liberal Arts and Sciences at Three Rivers College

Poplar Bluff, MO · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a smaller institution with 1,909 students in Poplar Bluff, MO.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,645 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 34.6x 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.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 11%. Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

At $8,171 in median debt against $28,645 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #549 out of 830 programs, Three Rivers College's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $28,645 to $32,913 over five years (15% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
42
Score
42
High End
Earnings $28,645/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$337K
3.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
34.6x
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)
$9,720
Out-of-state: $12,180
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,171
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$32,913
15% 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 Three Rivers College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 42/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Three Rivers College?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts and Sciences?
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.
How affordable is Liberal Arts and Sciences at Three Rivers College?
Median debt of just $8,171 against $28,645/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →