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Liberal Arts & Humanities at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · 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 $25,046/yr (-33% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #274 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	$667K	$667K	$642K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.7x	11.7x	11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.5x	5.5x	5.3x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	30	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$57,188

Out-of-state: $121,676 (5.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,092

-3% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,028

8.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,192

152% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $25,046 per year, Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates from Wayne State University earn below the $37,172 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 11.7x 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 $18,028 against $25,046/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #274 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places Wayne State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $25,046-to-$63,192 earnings arc over five years reflects a 152% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Wayne State University

With 82% of applicants admitted, Wayne State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 15,676 in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne 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 Wayne 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 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at Wayne State University?

At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Wayne State University a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Wayne State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

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