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Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, 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 $24,706/yr (-34% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 20.3x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #225 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	$573K	$573K	$549K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.3x	20.3x	19.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.6x	7.6x	7.2x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	32	39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,292

Out-of-state: $75,812 (7.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$22,584

20% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$12,550

6.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$52,783

114% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,706 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from California State University-Fullerton earn below the $37,172 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 20.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 4%. Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

The $12,550 debt-to-$24,706 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #225 out of 424 programs, California State University-Fullerton's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,706 to $52,783 over five years (114% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State University-Fullerton

With 87% of applicants admitted, California State University-Fullerton prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 36,956 students in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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-Fullerton

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

How does California State University-Fullerton's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?

This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why are Liberal Arts and Sciences earnings lower at California State University-Fullerton?

Lower starting pay at California State University-Fullerton may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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