Liberal Arts and Sciences at Onondaga Community College

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

a compact campus enrolling 4,349 students in Syracuse, NY.

Program Analysis

Onondaga Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $22,966/yr, trailing the $27,616 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 33.4x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $22,966 in annual earnings.

Ranked #734 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Onondaga Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $37,263 show a 62% jump from the $22,966 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
37
Score
37
High End
Earnings $22,966/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$403K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
33.4x
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)
$12,084
Out-of-state: $22,664
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,263
62% 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 Onondaga Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Onondaga Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
At 37/100, 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?
Highly resilient. Liberal Arts and Sciences careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Is Onondaga Community College a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Onondaga Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →