Liberal Arts and Sciences at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

serving 10,556 students in Long Island City, NY.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,713/yr fall 21% below the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 36.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 0% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

At $4,700 in median debt against $21,713 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #729 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, CUNY LaGuardia Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $39,896 show a 84% jump from the $21,713 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
37
Score
37
High End
Earnings $21,713/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$381K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
36.5x
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)
$10,436
Out-of-state: $16,196
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,700
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,896
84% 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 CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
This program scores 37/100 — 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 CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
Median debt of just $4,700 against $21,713/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.
Can you still earn well with Liberal Arts and Sciences from CUNY LaGuardia Community 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 →