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Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · 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 $36,509/yr (-2% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 20.2x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #28 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 10%

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	$570K	$570K	$546K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.2x	20.2x	19.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.5x	7.5x	7.2x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,220

Out-of-state: $75,740 (7.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$45,104

-60% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,181

4.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$58,970

62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-East Bay's Liberal Arts and Sciences program produces graduates earning $36,509/yr — within striking distance of the $37,172 national average for this field.

With a 20.2x 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 and Sciences involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,181 in median debt clears quickly against $36,509 in annual earnings.

At #28 of 424 programs, this Liberal Arts and Sciences program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $36,509-to-$58,970 earnings arc over five years reflects a 62% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-East Bay

A 97% acceptance rate means California State University-East Bay is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 10,422 in Hayward, CA. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-East Bay →

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 California State University-East Bay

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 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-East Bay?

At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences 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 →