Liberal Arts and Sciences at Flathead Valley Community College

Kalispell, MT · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a smaller institution with 1,169 students in Kalispell, MT.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,079 at Flathead Valley Community College come in 9% above the national median of $27,616 for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 51.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

The 36% 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.

With first-year pay of $30,079 far exceeding the $10,833 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #264 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Flathead Valley Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $30,079 to $44,781 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
48
Score
48
High End
Earnings $30,079/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$490K
10.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
51.6x
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)
$9,496
Out-of-state: $22,726
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,833
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,781
49% 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

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Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Flathead Valley Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Liberal Arts and Sciences jobs?
Highly resilient. Liberal Arts and Sciences careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →