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Liberal Arts & Humanities at Bluefield State University

Bluefield, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,677/yr (-31% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #381 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$403K	$403K	$378K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.8x	9.8x	9.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.7x	5.7x	5.4x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	22	21	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,960

Out-of-state: $70,240 (5.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$50,116

-22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,426

9.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,677/yr fall 31% below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

A 9.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 6% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts & Humanities involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $19,426 against $25,677/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #381 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places Bluefield State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Bluefield State University

Bluefield State University has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 1,231 in Bluefield, WV. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Bluefield State University →

Top Career Paths

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bluefield State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 21/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at Bluefield State University?

At 21/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Bluefield State University a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Bluefield State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →