WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)+70% vs national median55 grads tracked

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Northern Virginia Community College

Ranked 1st of 17 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$55,464
middle 50%: $31,537 – $102,295
Median · 5 years out
$74,643
middle 50%: $34,840 – $99,994
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Northern Virginia Community College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities earn a median $55,464 one year after graduating, rising to $74,643 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 70% above the national median of $43,801 for this field, ranking 1st of 17 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
5.5 yrs
≈ $6,106 total interest

Same major at other universities

Des Moines Area Community College
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$68,424 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$49,855 · 5 yrs out
Vincennes University
$48,268 · 5 yrs out
Tri-County Technical College
$44,743 · 5 yrs out
Sinclair Community College
$43,801 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Northern Virginia Community College

Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$105,430 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Certificate)
$103,697 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$100,794 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Certificate)
$95,510 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$95,189 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades, General (Associate)
$95,189 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$92,628 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Certificate)
$88,826 · 5 yrs out
Surveying Engineering (Certificate)
$88,826 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$87,210 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$86,799 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Associate)
$86,785 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
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