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Liberal Arts & Humanities at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,112/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 20.4x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #58 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 & Humanities graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $606K $606K $582K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.4x 20.4x 19.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.8x 7.8x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,250
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,526
92% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

San Francisco State University's Liberal Arts & Humanities program produces graduates earning $32,112/yr — within striking distance of the $37,172 national average for this field.

The 20.4x 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 4%. Career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,250 in median debt clears quickly against $32,112 in annual earnings.

Ranked #58 out of 424 programs, San Francisco State University's Liberal Arts & Humanities program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $32,112 to $61,526 over five years (92% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About San Francisco State University

A 96% acceptance rate means San Francisco State University is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 20,033 in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco 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 San Francisco State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($117,532) Mechanical Engineering ($72,647) Civil Engineering ($68,256) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($67,345) Finance and Financial Management Services ($62,778) Accounting and Related Services ($60,607) International Business ($58,560) Microbiological Sciences and Immunology ($56,071)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Liberal Arts & Humanities trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does San Francisco State University's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does San Francisco State University rank so high for Liberal Arts & Humanities?
The #58 ranking out of 424 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →