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Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, 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 $30,413/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #155 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 and Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$561K	$561K	$536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.8x	18.8x	18.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.3x	7.3x	6.9x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	37	45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$29,748

Out-of-state: $77,268 (7.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$57,948

-95% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,322

5.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,702

80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Monterey Bay's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $30,413/yr, trailing the $37,172 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic ten-year scenarios is just 4% — this field's hands-on core resists automation.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,322 in median debt clears quickly against $30,413 in annual earnings.

At #155 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, California State University-Monterey Bay scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $54,702 show a 80% jump from the $30,413 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Monterey Bay

A 95% acceptance rate means California State University-Monterey Bay is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 5,811 students in Seaside, CA. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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 and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Monterey Bay

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-Monterey Bay?

A score of 37/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Can you still earn well with Liberal Arts and Sciences from California State University-Monterey Bay?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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