Liberal Arts and Sciences at Ellsworth Community College

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

with a smaller student body of 540 in Iowa Falls, IA.

Program Analysis

Ellsworth Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $22,519/yr, trailing the $27,616 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 37.3x 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.

Median debt of $12,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $22,519 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #692 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Ellsworth Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $42,381 show a 88% jump from the $22,519 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

38 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
38
Score
38
High End
Earnings $22,519/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$395K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
37.3x
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)
$10,608
Out-of-state: $12,624
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,381
88% 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 Ellsworth 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

What does a 38/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Ellsworth Community College?
This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts and Sciences?
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.
Is Ellsworth Community College a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?
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 →