Liberal Arts & Humanities at Merced College

Merced, CA · Public · Certificate · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

with a mid-sized student body of 9,677 in Merced, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $27,413/yr, roughly in line with the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 315.9x 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 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates.

Ranked #35 out of 830 programs, Merced College's Liberal Arts & Humanities program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,413 to $35,817 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
58
Score
58
High End
Earnings $27,413/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$377K
6.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
315.9x
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)
$1,194
Out-of-state: $8,154
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,817
31% 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

Explore what Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 830 programs nationwide.

Read the full Liberal Arts & Humanities career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities Overview

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

Other Majors at Merced 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 Merced College?
At 58/100, Merced College's Liberal Arts & Humanities program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI replace Liberal Arts & Humanities jobs?
Highly resilient. Liberal Arts & Humanities careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Merced College graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why does Merced College rank so high for Liberal Arts & Humanities?
Among 830 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs, Merced College's #35 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →