Liberal Arts & Humanities at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,324/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 19.9x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #67 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $565K $565K $541K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.9x 19.9x 19.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.4x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,380
Out-of-state: $75,900 (7.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$30,396
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,255
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,781
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $33,324/yr, Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates from California State University-Northridge land near the $37,172 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 19.9x 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 & Humanities involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

The median debt load of $14,255 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

California State University-Northridge ranks #67 among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $33,324-to-$56,781 earnings arc over five years reflects a 70% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Northridge

With 93% of applicants admitted, California State University-Northridge prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 32,357 in Northridge, 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-Northridge →

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 & Humanities at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Northridge

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 41/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at California State University-Northridge?
At 41/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is California State University-Northridge one of the best schools for Liberal Arts & Humanities?
Among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs, California State University-Northridge's #67 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →