Liberal Arts & Humanities at Pierce College District

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

a smaller institution with 4,487 students in Lakewood, WA.

Program Analysis

At $24,101/yr, Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates from Pierce College District land near the $27,616 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 45.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities carry above-average AI exposure (0% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

The median debt load of $10,217 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #616 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places Pierce College District in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $24,101-to-$42,890 earnings arc over five years reflects a 78% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

41 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
41
Score
41
High End
Earnings $24,101/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$423K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
45.1x
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)
$9,372
Out-of-state: $10,422
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,217
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,890
78% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Liberal Arts & Humanities careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Liberal Arts & Humanities career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities Overview

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pierce College District's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts & Humanities?
Highly resilient. Liberal Arts & Humanities careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Pierce College District graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →