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Liberal Arts & Humanities at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, 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 $25,349/yr (-32% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 21.1x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #188 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 50%

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	$588K	$588K	$563K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	21.1x	21.1x	20.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.8x	7.8x	7.5x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	34	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)

$27,920

Out-of-state: $75,440 (7.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$25,920

7% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,414

6.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,909

117% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,349 place California State University-Fresno below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 21.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% 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 $13,414 against $25,349/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #188 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places California State University-Fresno in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $25,349-to-$54,909 earnings arc over five years reflects a 117% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Fresno

California State University-Fresno accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 21,070 students in Fresno, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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-Fresno

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 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at California State University-Fresno?

At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

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

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