Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of South Carolina-Union

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

A 70% admission rate makes University of South Carolina-Union accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 267 in Union, SC.

Program Analysis

At $18,455 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from University of South Carolina-Union earn below the $27,616 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 12.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Liberal Arts and Sciences involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

The median debt load of $9,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #815 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places University of South Carolina-Union in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

29 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
30
Low End
29
Score
29
High End
Earnings $18,455/yr (-33% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$193K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
12.8x
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)
$15,116
Out-of-state: $36,476
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

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

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of South Carolina-Union?
This program scores 29/100 — 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.
Why are Liberal Arts and Sciences earnings lower at University of South Carolina-Union?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of South Carolina-Union's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →