Liberal Arts and Sciences at Piedmont Virginia Community College

Charlottesville, VA · Public · Certificate · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a compact campus enrolling 3,032 students in Charlottesville, VA.

Program Analysis

Piedmont Virginia Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program produces graduates earning $28,910/yr — within striking distance of the $27,616 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 83.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Liberal Arts and Sciences's career paths, with 0% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 27% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $7,000 in median debt clears fast against $28,910 in annual earnings.

At #119 of 830 nationally, this is a top-5% Liberal Arts and Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $28,910 to $38,908 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $28,910/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$413K
7.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
83.8x
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)
$4,928
Out-of-state: $10,931
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,000
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,908
35% 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 Piedmont Virginia 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

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Piedmont Virginia Community College?
This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.
How safe is Liberal Arts and Sciences from automation?
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.
How affordable is Liberal Arts and Sciences at Piedmont Virginia Community College?
At $7,000 in median debt, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Piedmont Virginia Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Piedmont Virginia Community College rank so high for Liberal Arts and Sciences?
Among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Piedmont Virginia Community College's #119 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →