Liberal Arts and Sciences at Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

serving 11,797 students in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

Tidewater Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program produces graduates earning $27,294/yr — within striking distance of the $27,616 national average for this trade.

The 38.8x 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 36% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $27,294 in annual earnings.

At #576 out of 830 programs, Tidewater Community College's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,294 to $40,534 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
42
Score
42
High End
Earnings $27,294/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$443K
10.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
38.8x
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)
$11,428
Out-of-state: $23,434
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,534
49% 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 Tidewater Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tidewater Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
At 42/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
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 →