Liberal Arts and Sciences at Columbia College

Columbia, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,133/yr (21% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 5.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #142 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 $527K $527K $502K
Earnings Multiple 5.4x 5.4x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 37 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$97,304
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$96,204
1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,494
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,849
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $45,133 at Columbia College come in 21% above the national median of $37,172 for Liberal Arts and Sciences programs.

At 5.4x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

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

With first-year pay of $45,133 far exceeding the $21,494 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #142 out of 424 programs, Columbia College's Liberal Arts and Sciences offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $45,133 to $54,849 shows 22% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Columbia College

serving 5,359 students in Columbia, MO. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia College →

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 Columbia College

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

How does Columbia College's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →