Liberal Arts and Sciences at Hawkeye Community College
a smaller institution with 2,528 students in Waterloo, IA.
Program Analysis
At $30,321 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Hawkeye Community College earn slightly above the $27,616 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 37.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.
The 33% 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.
The median debt load of $11,987 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
Ranked #442 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Hawkeye Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $30,321 to $43,743 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Liberal Arts and Sciences Overview
Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools
Other Majors at Hawkeye Community College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.