Liberal Arts & Humanities at Howard College

Big Spring, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a compact campus enrolling 1,588 students in Big Spring, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,240 put Howard College's Liberal Arts & Humanities program 31% above the national median of $27,616 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 77.1x 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.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 11%. Career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

With first-year pay of $36,240 far exceeding the $7,700 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #54 ranking out of 830 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs nationally puts Howard College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth is modest: $36,240 to $41,694 over five years (15% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
57
Score
57
High End
Earnings $36,240/yr (31% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$426K
3.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
77.1x
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)
$5,532
Out-of-state: $12,152
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,700
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,694
15% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities 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

Liberal Arts & Humanities Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Liberal Arts & Humanities careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Liberal Arts & Humanities career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities Overview

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

Other Majors at Howard College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts & Humanities at Howard College?
A score of 57/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Liberal Arts & Humanities field.
Is Liberal Arts & Humanities from Howard College a future-proof career choice?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 0% of Liberal Arts & Humanities tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 1 of 1 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
How affordable is Liberal Arts & Humanities at Howard College?
Median debt of just $7,700 against $36,240/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →