Liberal Arts and Sciences at John Wood Community College

Quincy, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

with a smaller student body of 1,387 in Quincy, IL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $24,030/yr, roughly in line with the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 31.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences carry above-average AI exposure (0% of tasks). The 30% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

With first-year pay of $24,030 far exceeding the $8,393 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #689 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places John Wood Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 40% earnings increase from $24,030 to $33,553 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

38 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
36
Low End
38
Score
37
High End
Earnings $24,030/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$360K
8.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
31.6x
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)
$11,400
Out-of-state: $18,000
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,393
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,553
40% 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 John Wood Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does John Wood Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Will AI replace Liberal Arts and Sciences jobs?
Liberal Arts and Sciences rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 0% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →