Liberal Arts and Sciences at Hawaii Community College

Hilo, HI · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a compact campus enrolling 1,470 students in Hilo, HI.

Program Analysis

At $25,212/yr, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Hawaii Community College land near the $27,616 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 55.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 0% task exposure — and the 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

The median debt load of $9,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #430 out of 830 programs, Hawaii Community College's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $25,212 to $33,555 shows 33% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
45
Score
45
High End
Earnings $25,212/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$355K
7.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
55.4x
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)
$6,408
Out-of-state: $16,680
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,250
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,555
33% 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 →