Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,883/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #170 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 50%

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 $516K $516K $491K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.4x 13.4x 12.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.7x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 36 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,592
Out-of-state: $109,440 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,988
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,180
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,214
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,883/yr, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from West Virginia University land near the $37,172 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic ten-year scenarios is just 5% — this field's hands-on core resists automation.

Median debt of $20,180 represents roughly 7 months of the $34,883 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #170 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, West Virginia University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $34,883 to $50,214 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About West Virginia University

With 86% of applicants admitted, West Virginia University prioritizes broad access, serving 17,705 students in Morgantown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University →

Top Career Paths

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →