Liberal Arts & Humanities at Des Moines Area Community College

Ankeny, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

with a mid-sized student body of 10,406 in Ankeny, IA.

Program Analysis

Des Moines Area Community College's Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates start at $31,453/yr — above the $27,616 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 45.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts & Humanities programs nationally.

The 35% 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 & Humanities graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $31,453 in annual earnings.

At #303 of 830 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs, Des Moines Area Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $31,453 to $46,441 over five years — a 48% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
47
Score
47
High End
Earnings $31,453/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$507K
10.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
45.7x
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)
$11,100
Out-of-state: $22,200
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,441
48% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities 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

Liberal Arts & Humanities Career Guide

What can you do with a Liberal Arts & Humanities credential from Des Moines Area Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Liberal Arts & Humanities career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities Overview

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

Other Majors at Des Moines Area Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Des Moines Area Community College's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts & Humanities?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 0% of Liberal Arts & Humanities tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 1 of 1 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →