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Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis at Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,458/yr (0% vs median)

AI Risk High (34% exposed)

Job Market Medium (17,800 openings/yr)

ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #1 of 1 Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$603K	$594K	$552K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.9x	11.7x	10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.2x	5.1x	4.8x
Probability of Field Employment	54%	50%	42%
DegreeOutlook Score	25	25	27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,608

Out-of-state: $115,600 (5.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,688

-18% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,125

11.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,589

140% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $21,458/yr, Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates from Northern Arizona University land near the $21,458 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis's typical career paths, with 34% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,125 represents roughly 12 months of the $21,458 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

This program is one of 1 schools offering Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis in our dataset — a specialized field with limited comparison points.

Five-year earnings of $51,589 show a 140% jump from the $21,458 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Northern Arizona University

With 91% of applicants admitted, Northern Arizona University prioritizes broad access, with 23,041 students enrolled in Flagstaff, AZ.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Arizona University →

Top Career Paths

Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary $84,290/yr

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Other Majors at Northern Arizona University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis at Northern Arizona University?

A score of 25/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis careers?

With 34% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $551,627 in decade earnings vs $602,601 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Northern Arizona University's Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis program stand out?

Ranked #1 of 1 programs nationally, Northern Arizona University lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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