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Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, 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 $25,349/yr (-32% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 21.1x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #188 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	$588K	$588K	$563K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	21.1x	21.1x	20.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.8x	7.8x	7.5x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	34	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$27,920

Out-of-state: $75,440 (7.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$25,920

7% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,414

6.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,909

117% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,349 place California State University-Fresno below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 21.1x 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.

At $13,414 against $25,349/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #188 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places California State University-Fresno in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $25,349-to-$54,909 earnings arc over five years reflects a 117% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Fresno

California State University-Fresno accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 21,070 students in Fresno, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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-Fresno

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 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-Fresno?

At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

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

Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Fresno'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 →