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Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $23,203/yr (-38% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #291 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs

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	$669K	$669K	$645K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.8x	11.8x	11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.7x	3.7x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	29	28	34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$56,680

Out-of-state: $179,788 (3.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$54,828

3% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,625

8.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$61,690

166% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Riverside's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $23,203/yr, trailing the $37,172 national average by 38%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 11.8x 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 and Sciences are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

The $15,625 debt-to-$23,203 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #291 out of 424 programs, University of California-Riverside's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,203 to $61,690 over five years (166% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-Riverside

University of California-Riverside's 63% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 22,644 in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Riverside →

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

Other Majors at University of California-Riverside

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 University of California-Riverside's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?

This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why are Liberal Arts and Sciences earnings lower at University of California-Riverside?

Lower starting pay at University of California-Riverside may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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