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Area Studies at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,668/yr (22% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)

ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #7 of 66 Area Studies programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Area Studies graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$603K	$590K	$536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.8x	11.5x	10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.6x	3.5x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	55%	48%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	48	47	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$51,268

Out-of-state: $168,684 (3.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$40,068

22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,845

4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,860

46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $43,668/yr, edging above the $35,677 national average for Area Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Area Studies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Area Studies's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

At $14,845 in median debt against $43,668 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #7 of 66 nationally, this is a top-5% Area Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $43,668 to $63,860 over five years — a 46% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus has a 83% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 3,989 in Tacoma, WA. With 40% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus →

Top Career Paths

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary $84,290/yr

View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Area Studies at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Area Studies at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus?

A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Area Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Area Studies careers?

With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $535,772 in decade earnings vs $602,962 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of Washington-Tacoma Campus's Area Studies program stand out?

Ranked #7 of 66 programs nationally, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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