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Liberal Arts & Humanities at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · 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 $27,303/yr (-27% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 14.4x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #353 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	$454K	$454K	$430K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.4x	14.4x	13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.7x	5.7x	5.4x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	24	23	31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$31,652

Out-of-state: $79,172 (5.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$52,668

-66% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,993

7.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$38,082

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,303/yr fall 27% below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 14.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% 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 $15,993 against $27,303/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #353 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 39% earnings increase from $27,303 to $38,082 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 5,491 in Arcata, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt →

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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?

At 23/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt'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 →