Liberal Arts and Sciences at San Diego City College

San Diego, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

enrolling 10,584 students in San Diego, CA.

Program Analysis

At $25,639/yr, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from San Diego City College land near the $27,616 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 160.3x 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.

Ranked #77 of 830 programs, San Diego City College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $25,639 to $34,678 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
55
Score
55
High End
Earnings $25,639/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$369K
7.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
160.3x
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)
$2,300
Out-of-state: $18,188
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,678
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 San Diego City College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 55/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at San Diego City College?
This program scores 55/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.
How safe is Liberal Arts and Sciences from automation?
Highly resilient. Liberal Arts and Sciences careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →