Liberal Arts and Sciences at Erie Community College

Buffalo, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

serving 5,906 students in Buffalo, NY.

Program Analysis

At $23,608/yr, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Erie Community College land near the $27,616 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 32.1x 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 37% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

The median debt load of $8,174 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #730 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Erie Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $23,608-to-$35,615 earnings arc over five years reflects a 51% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
37
Score
37
High End
Earnings $23,608/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$391K
10.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
32.1x
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)
$12,200
Out-of-state: $22,600
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,174
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,615
51% 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 Erie 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

How does Erie 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 AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts and Sciences?
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 →