Ethnic & Cultural Minority at Smith College

Northampton, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
9 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
9
Optimistic
9
Base Case
6
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,105/yr (-41% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Small (8,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #92 of 92 Ethnic & Cultural Minority programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Ethnic & Cultural Minority graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $597K $580K $515K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 41% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 9 9 6

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$246,272
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$104,724
57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,259
11.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,924
161% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Smith College's Ethnic & Cultural Minority graduates start at $19,105/yr, trailing the $32,228 national average by 41%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Ethnic & Cultural Minority's typical career paths, with 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,259 represents roughly 11 months of the $19,105 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #92 of 92 Ethnic & Cultural Minority programs, Smith College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $49,924 show a 161% jump from the $19,105 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Smith College

Admission to Smith College is competitive, with 20% of applicants accepted, with a smaller student body of 2,501 in Northampton, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $104,724 — 57% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Smith College →

Top Career Paths

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary $84,290/yr
Interpreters and translators $59,440/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Ethnic & Cultural Minority at Other Schools

Other Majors at Smith College

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 Ethnic & Cultural Minority at Smith College?
A score of 9/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Ethnic & Cultural Minority. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Ethnic & Cultural Minority careers?
With 69% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $515,184 in decade earnings vs $597,497 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Ethnic & Cultural Minority from Smith College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is Smith College a hidden gem for Ethnic & Cultural Minority?
After financial aid, the average student pays $104,724 over four years — 57% below the $246,272 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →