Liberal Arts and Sciences at Western Piedmont Community College

Morganton, NC · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

with a smaller student body of 1,332 in Morganton, NC.

Program Analysis

Western Piedmont Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $29,365/yr — above the $27,616 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 65.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Liberal Arts and Sciences involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Western Piedmont Community College ranks #195 among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $29,365 to $33,772 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
50
Score
50
High End
Earnings $29,365/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$345K
3.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
65.2x
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)
$5,300
Out-of-state: $17,588
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,772
15% 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 Western Piedmont Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 50/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Western Piedmont Community College?
At 50/100, Western Piedmont Community College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How safe is Liberal Arts and Sciences from automation?
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.
Why does Western Piedmont Community College rank so high for Liberal Arts and Sciences?
Ranked #195 of 830 programs nationally, Western Piedmont Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →