Liberal Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,602/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #93 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 25%

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 $535K $535K $510K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.3x 12.3x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.2x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,584
Out-of-state: $85,920 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$28,672
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,100
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,111
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Northern Kentucky University's Liberal Arts and Sciences program produces graduates earning $37,602/yr — within striking distance of the $37,172 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.3x 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 5% — this field's hands-on core resists automation.

Median debt of $22,100 represents roughly 7 months of the $37,602 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #93 of 424 nationally, this is a top-5% Liberal Arts and Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $37,602 to $54,111 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Northern Kentucky University

A 96% acceptance rate means Northern Kentucky University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 8,065 in Highland Heights, KY. The average net cost of $28,672 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Kentucky University →

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

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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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes Northern Kentucky University's Liberal Arts and Sciences program stand out?
Ranked #93 of 424 programs nationally, Northern Kentucky University lands in the top 25%. 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 →