Liberal Arts and Sciences at Coalinga College

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

a smaller institution with 2,177 students in Coalinga, CA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $23,307/yr fall 16% below the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 147.8x 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 $5,700 in median debt against $23,307 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Coalinga College ranks #107 among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $23,307-to-$37,050 earnings arc over five years reflects a 59% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $23,307/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$409K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
147.8x
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)
$2,768
Out-of-state: $20,168
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,700
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,050
59% 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 Coalinga College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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 Coalinga College?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Liberal Arts and Sciences field.
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.
How affordable is Liberal Arts and Sciences at Coalinga College?
At $5,700 in median debt, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Coalinga College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Coalinga College one of the best schools for Liberal Arts and Sciences?
The #107 ranking out of 830 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can you still earn well with Liberal Arts and Sciences from Coalinga College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →