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Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Valley College

Saratoga, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

serving 6,086 students in Saratoga, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,161 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.

With a 154.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences carry above-average AI exposure (0% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At #79 of 830 programs, this Liberal Arts and Sciences program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $26,161-to-$46,590 earnings arc over five years reflects a 78% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
55
Score
55
High End
Earnings $26,161/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$459K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
154.1x
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)
$2,980
Out-of-state: $17,404
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,590
78% 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

View all 830 schools offering Liberal Arts and Sciences →

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Purdue University-Main Campus ($79,921) Maria College of Albany ($60,857) Oklahoma Panhandle State University ($57,445) Columbia Southern University ($55,667) American Public University System ($52,108) Marion Technical College ($51,927) Henry Ford College ($51,663) Thomas Edison State University ($50,524)

Other Majors at West Valley College

Business Administration, Management and Operations ($24,594)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Liberal Arts and Sciences degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Valley College?
A score of 55/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Liberal Arts and Sciences field.
How AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts and Sciences?
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 →