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Liberal Arts & Humanities at California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, 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 $28,324/yr (-24% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #222 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	$536K	$536K	$511K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.6x	19.6x	18.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.2x	7.2x	6.8x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	33	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$27,268

Out-of-state: $74,788 (7.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$39,168

-44% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,874

7.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$50,286

78% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,324/yr fall 24% below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 19.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 5%. Career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

The $17,874 debt-to-$28,324 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #222 out of 424 programs, California State University-Channel Islands's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $28,324 to $50,286 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State University-Channel Islands

California State University-Channel Islands has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 5,230 students in Camarillo, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Channel Islands →

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 University-Channel Islands

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

How does California State University-Channel Islands's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?

This program scores 33/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why are Liberal Arts & Humanities earnings lower at California State University-Channel Islands?

Lower starting pay at California State University-Channel Islands may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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