Liberal Arts & Humanities at Lower Columbia College

Longview, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a compact campus enrolling 1,743 students in Longview, WA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,845 at Lower Columbia College come in 12% above the national median of $27,616 for Liberal Arts & Humanities programs.

The 46.7x 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 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates.

With first-year pay of $30,845 far exceeding the $7,667 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #333 out of 830 programs, Lower Columbia College's Liberal Arts & Humanities offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $30,845 to $38,880 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
47
Score
47
High End
Earnings $30,845/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$406K
6.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.7x
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 (In-State)
$8,692
Out-of-state: $11,266
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,667
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,880
26% 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

What can you do with a Liberal Arts & Humanities credential from Lower Columbia College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Liberal Arts & Humanities career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities Overview

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lower Columbia 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 Lower Columbia College's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is Liberal Arts & Humanities from Lower Columbia College a future-proof career choice?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Liberal Arts & Humanities work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Lower Columbia College's score of 47/100 reflects this durability.
What's the typical debt for Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates from Lower Columbia College?
Median debt of just $7,667 against $30,845/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 →