Liberal Arts and Sciences at Richland Community College
a compact campus enrolling 1,412 students in Decatur, IL.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $26,712 track close to the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
With a 45.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences carry above-average AI exposure (0% of tasks). The 33% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.
At $7,565 in median debt against $26,712 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
A #486 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Richland Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 44% earnings increase from $26,712 to $38,453 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
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 Richland Community College
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.