Liberal Arts & Humanities at Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,716/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 16.8x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #41 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 10%

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 $574K $574K $550K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.8x 16.8x 16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.4x 6.4x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,272
Out-of-state: $89,136 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,104
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,297
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,054
59% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,716 track close to the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 16.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts & Humanities involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $29,297 against $37,716/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

At #41 of 424 programs, this Liberal Arts & Humanities program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $37,716-to-$60,054 earnings arc over five years reflects a 59% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 6,498 students in Nashville, TN. 52% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee 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

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tennessee State University

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 does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at Tennessee State University?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →