Liberal Arts & Humanities at Whatcom Community College

Bellingham, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

a smaller institution with 2,280 students in Bellingham, WA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,020 track close to the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 42.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities carry above-average AI exposure (0% of tasks). The 35% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $9,726 in median debt against $27,020 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #524 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places Whatcom Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 48% earnings increase from $27,020 to $39,959 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
43
Score
43
High End
Earnings $27,020/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$436K
10.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
42.4x
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)
$10,292
Out-of-state: $22,192
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,726
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,959
48% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities 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

Liberal Arts & Humanities Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Liberal Arts & Humanities careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Liberal Arts & Humanities career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities Overview

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

Other Majors at Whatcom Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Whatcom Community College's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts & Humanities?
For Whatcom Community College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Liberal Arts & Humanities rated "AI-Proof" — 100% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →