Certificate (1-2 years)-10% vs national median395 grads tracked
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Virginia Highlands Community College
Ranked 44th of 55 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$26,647
middle 50%: $19,421 – $37,018
Median · 5 years out
$39,360
middle 50%: $29,031 – $53,664
Median · 10 years out
$52,165
middle 50%: $41,469 – $68,363
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
This certificate program offers a median first-year salary of $27k. Earnings climb to $39k after five years and $52k after ten years.
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
10.7 yrs
≈ $13,352 total interest
Same major at other universities
Bossier Parish Community College
$40,750 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana- Region 3
$40,588 · 5 yrs out
South Louisiana Community College
$40,070 · 5 yrs out
Three Rivers College
$39,726 · 5 yrs out
Patrick & Henry Community College
$39,538 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 12
$39,474 · 5 yrs out
Central Virginia Community College
$39,300 · 5 yrs out
Danville Community College
$38,992 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Western Community College
$38,967 · 5 yrs out
Wytheville Community College
$38,226 · 5 yrs out
Southside Virginia Community College
$38,058 · 5 yrs out
Mountain Empire Community College
$38,035 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Virginia Highlands Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$64,417 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$59,273 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$56,620 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate)
$56,620 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$55,504 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$54,615 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$53,892 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$51,627 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$51,627 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$50,881 · 5 yrs out