Liberal Arts and Sciences at Tri-County Technical College

Pendleton, SC · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a compact campus enrolling 4,960 students in Pendleton, SC.

Program Analysis

Tri-County Technical College's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $22,578/yr, trailing the $27,616 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 44.5x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $5,727 in median debt clears fast against $22,578 in annual earnings.

Ranked #648 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Tri-County Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $40,422 show a 79% jump from the $22,578 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
37
Low End
40
Score
40
High End
Earnings $22,578/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$396K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.5x
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)
$8,896
Out-of-state: $22,192
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,727
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,422
79% 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 Tri-County Technical 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 does a 40/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Tri-County Technical College?
This program scores 40/100 — 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.
What's the typical debt for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Tri-County Technical College?
Median debt of just $5,727 against $22,578/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.
Why are Liberal Arts and Sciences earnings lower at Tri-County Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Tri-County Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →