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Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, 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 $29,341/yr (-21% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 18.4x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #171 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	$570K	$570K	$545K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.4x	18.4x	17.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.3x	7.3x	6.9x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	36	44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$30,956

Out-of-state: $78,476 (7.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$42,200

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,226

6.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,289

88% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,341 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from California State University-San Marcos earn below the $37,172 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 18.4x 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 $16,226 against $29,341/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #171 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places California State University-San Marcos in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $29,341-to-$55,289 earnings arc over five years reflects a 88% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-San Marcos

With 96% of applicants admitted, California State University-San Marcos prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 14,174 in San Marcos, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 44% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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-San Marcos

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-San Marcos?

At 36/100, 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-San Marcos a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?

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