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Liberal Arts & Humanities at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,532/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 11.4x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #230 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 $480K $480K $456K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.4x 11.4x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.3x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,768
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,888
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Iowa State University's Liberal Arts & Humanities program produces graduates earning $36,532/yr — within striking distance of the $37,172 national average for this field.

The 11.4x 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 $26,768 debt-to-$36,532 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #230 out of 424 programs, Iowa State University's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,532 to $44,888 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Iowa State University

A 89% acceptance rate means Iowa State University is accessible to most applicants, with 25,033 students enrolled in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State University →

Top Career Paths

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 424 schools offering Liberal Arts & Humanities →

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($103,135) DePaul University ($84,066) Molloy College ($74,868) Bentley University ($72,333) Champlain College ($71,207) Georgetown University ($66,719) Thomas More University ($62,607) Drexel University ($62,470)

Other Majors at Iowa State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,913) Computer Engineering ($79,182) Computer Science ($78,517) Construction Engineering ($77,845) Chemical Engineering ($76,184) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($75,036) Industrial Engineering ($74,310) Mechanical Engineering ($72,900)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Liberal Arts & Humanities trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Iowa State University's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. 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 →