Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of South Carolina-Lancaster

Lancaster, SC · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

University of South Carolina-Lancaster accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 649 students in Lancaster, SC.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,995/yr fall 17% below the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 15.9x 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.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

At $9,992 in median debt against $22,995 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #796 out of 830 programs, University of South Carolina-Lancaster's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

33 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
33
Low End
33
Score
33
High End
Earnings $22,995/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$241K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
15.9x
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)
$15,116
Out-of-state: $36,476
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,992
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

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 University of South Carolina-Lancaster

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of South Carolina-Lancaster?
A score of 33/100 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?
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.
Is University of South Carolina-Lancaster a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at University of South Carolina-Lancaster may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →