Liberal Arts and Sciences at Jefferson Community College

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

a smaller institution with 1,523 students in Watertown, NY.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $23,245/yr fall 16% below the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 33.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

The 40% 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.

At $9,750 in median debt against $23,245 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #702 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Jefferson Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $41,458 show a 78% jump from the $23,245 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

38 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
38
Score
38
High End
Earnings $23,245/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$408K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
33.7x
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
$12,096
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,750
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,458
78% 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 Jefferson Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 38/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Jefferson Community College?
At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
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.
Is Jefferson Community College a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Jefferson Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →