Liberal Arts and Sciences at Central Oregon Community College

Bend, OR · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

with a smaller student body of 3,577 in Bend, OR.

Program Analysis

At $29,560 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Central Oregon Community College earn slightly above the $27,616 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 39.6x 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 21% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $11,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #464 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Central Oregon Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $29,560 to $37,444 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
44
Score
44
High End
Earnings $29,560/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$391K
6.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.6x
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)
$9,882
Out-of-state: $26,370
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,500
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,444
27% 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 Central Oregon Community 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 does a 44/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Central Oregon Community College?
At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How safe is Liberal Arts and Sciences from automation?
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.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →