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Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of South Carolina-Upstate

Spartanburg, SC · 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 $36,241/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #276 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 & Humanities graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$472K	$472K	$448K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.2x	10.2x	9.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.2x	5.2x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	30	35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$46,332

Out-of-state: $90,180 (5.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$54,900

-18% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,450

8.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,441

20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,241/yr, roughly in line with the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 10.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% 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 $24,450 against $36,241/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #276 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places University of South Carolina-Upstate in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $36,241 to $43,441 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About University of South Carolina-Upstate

A 70% admission rate makes University of South Carolina-Upstate accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 4,008 in Spartanburg, SC. Pell Grant recipients make up 45% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-Upstate →

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 University of South Carolina-Upstate

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of South Carolina-Upstate?

At 30/100, 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 →