Liberal Arts and Sciences at Southwestern Michigan College

Dowagiac, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a smaller institution with 1,396 students in Dowagiac, MI.

Program Analysis

Southwestern Michigan College's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $22,272/yr, trailing the $27,616 national average by 19%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 30.3x 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 36% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $7,942 in median debt clears fast against $22,272 in annual earnings.

At #752 out of 830 programs, Southwestern Michigan College's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $22,272 to $33,301 shows 50% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

36 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
34
Low End
36
Score
36
High End
Earnings $22,272/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$365K
10.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
30.3x
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)
$12,052
Out-of-state: $15,700
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,942
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,301
50% 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 Southwestern Michigan College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southwestern Michigan College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Liberal Arts and Sciences jobs?
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.
Can you still earn well with Liberal Arts and Sciences from Southwestern Michigan College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Southwestern Michigan College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →