Liberal Arts and Sciences at Santa Fe College

Gainesville, FL · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

serving 11,133 students in Gainesville, FL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $25,823/yr, roughly in line with the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 88.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 0% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

With first-year pay of $25,823 far exceeding the $8,404 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #148 of 830 nationally, this is a top-5% Liberal Arts and Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $47,831 show a 85% jump from the $25,823 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
51
Score
51
High End
Earnings $25,823/yr (-6% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$453K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
88.4x
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)
$5,126
Out-of-state: $18,378
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,404
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,831
85% 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 Santa Fe College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Santa Fe College?
At 51/100, Santa Fe College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts and Sciences?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Liberal Arts and Sciences work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Is Santa Fe College one of the best schools for Liberal Arts and Sciences?
The #148 ranking out of 830 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →