Liberal Arts & Humanities at Richland Community College

Decatur, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
43
Score
43
High End
Earnings $26,712/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$416K
9.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
45.4x
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)
$9,180
Out-of-state: $34,140
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,565
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,453
44% 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

Liberal Arts & Humanities opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Liberal Arts & Humanities career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities Overview

Liberal Arts & Humanities 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at Richland Community College?
At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How safe is Liberal Arts & Humanities from automation?
For Richland Community College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Liberal Arts & Humanities rated "AI-Proof" — 100% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
What's the typical debt for Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates from Richland Community College?
At $7,565 in median debt, Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates from Richland Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →