Liberal Arts and Sciences at Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a smaller institution with 1,124 students in Galesburg, IL.

Program Analysis

At $27,529/yr, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Carl Sandburg College land near the $27,616 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 35.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Liberal Arts and Sciences's career paths, with 0% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 24% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $3,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #585 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Carl Sandburg College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $27,529 to $35,978 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
41
Score
41
High End
Earnings $27,529/yr (-0% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$379K
6.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
35.7x
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)
$10,600
Out-of-state: $17,620
Median Debt at Graduation
$3,500
1.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,978
31% 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 Carl Sandburg College

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 Carl Sandburg College?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How safe is Liberal Arts and Sciences from automation?
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 Carl Sandburg College?
At $3,500 in median debt, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Carl Sandburg College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →