Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Parkersburg, WV · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a smaller institution with 1,692 students in Parkersburg, WV.

Program Analysis

West Virginia University at Parkersburg's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $33,409/yr — above the $27,616 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 47.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Liberal Arts and Sciences career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,000 in median debt clears fast against $33,409 in annual earnings.

A #240 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places West Virginia University at Parkersburg in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 22% earnings increase from $33,409 to $40,837 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
49
Score
49
High End
Earnings $33,409/yr (21% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$423K
5.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
47.9x
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)
$8,840
Out-of-state: $18,248
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,837
22% 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 West Virginia University at Parkersburg

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 49/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University at Parkersburg?
This program scores 49/100 — 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?
Liberal Arts and Sciences rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 0% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
How affordable is Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University at Parkersburg?
Median debt of just $9,000 against $33,409/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 →