Liberal Arts and Sciences at Cape Fear Community College
with a mid-sized student body of 9,497 in Wilmington, NC.
Program Analysis
Cape Fear Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $30,056/yr — above the $27,616 national average, though not by a wide margin.
With a 77.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 26% 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 — $8,000 in median debt clears fast against $30,056 in annual earnings.
Cape Fear Community College ranks #115 among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 33% earnings increase from $30,056 to $40,084 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Liberal Arts and Sciences Overview
Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools
Other Majors at Cape Fear Community College
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.