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Liberal Arts and Sciences at Bluefield State University

Bluefield, WV · 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 $25,677/yr (-31% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 9.8x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #381 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	$403K	$403K	$378K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.8x	9.8x	9.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.7x	5.7x	5.4x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	22	21	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,960

Out-of-state: $70,240 (5.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$50,116

-22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,426

9.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,677/yr fall 31% below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

A 9.8x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 6% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts and Sciences involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $19,426 against $25,677/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #381 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Bluefield State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Bluefield State University

Bluefield State University has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 1,231 in Bluefield, WV. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Bluefield 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 and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bluefield 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 21/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Bluefield State University?

At 21/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Bluefield State University a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Bluefield 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 →