Liberal Arts and Sciences at Portland Community College
serving 18,365 students in Portland, OR.
Program Analysis
At $30,852 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Portland Community College earn slightly above the $27,616 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The 46.0x 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 exposure is significant at 0% of job tasks, producing a 30% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.
The median debt load of $12,448 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
Ranked #327 out of 830 programs, Portland Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $30,852 to $43,197 shows 40% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Liberal Arts and Sciences Overview
Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools
Other Majors at Portland Community College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.