Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Illinois Valley Community College

Graduates of the Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities program at Illinois Valley Community College experience a steady earnings trajectory. One year after graduation, median earnings stand at $27,406, which increases to $42,311 five years post-graduation and reaches $52,354 after ten years. When adjusted for purchasing power, the five-year salary equivalent is approximately $46,090.41, indicating that graduates can expect their earnings to maintain a competitive value in the job market over time, despite the cost of living index in Illinois being slightly lower than the national average.

The majority of graduates enter the Health Care & Social Assistance sectors, with 44.6% employed in this field one year after graduation. This trend continues with 42.0% and 29.3% in the same industry five and ten years later, respectively. Considering the estimated break-even point of approximately 19.4 years compared to a high school-only path, the overall return on investment for this degree is moderate. While the earnings may not be significantly high immediately, the stability and growth potential in health-related fields provide a reasonable justification for pursuing this educational path.