Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Paducah, KY · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a compact campus enrolling 2,810 students in Paducah, KY.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $26,590/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 40.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 27% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Liberal Arts and Sciences career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $26,590 far exceeding the $7,620 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #543 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places West Kentucky Community and Technical College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 35% earnings increase from $26,590 to $35,845 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
42
Score
42
High End
Earnings $26,590/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$381K
7.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
40.9x
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)
$9,312
Out-of-state: $12,384
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,620
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,845
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 West Kentucky Community and Technical 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 42/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Kentucky Community and Technical College?
A score of 42/100 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.
How affordable is Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Kentucky Community and Technical College?
At $7,620 in median debt, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from West Kentucky Community and Technical 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 →