Liberal Arts and Sciences at Waubonsee Community College

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

serving 5,499 students in Sugar Grove, IL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $27,597/yr, roughly in line with the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 61.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences carry above-average AI exposure (0% of tasks). The 32% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

With first-year pay of $27,597 far exceeding the $7,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #255 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Waubonsee Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 42% earnings increase from $27,597 to $39,224 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
48
Score
48
High End
Earnings $27,597/yr (-0% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$423K
9.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
61.6x
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)
$6,864
Out-of-state: $24,660
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,000
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,224
42% 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 Waubonsee Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 48/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Waubonsee Community College?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
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.
What's the typical debt for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Waubonsee Community College?
At $7,000 in median debt, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Waubonsee 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 →