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Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities at California State University-San Marcos?

At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is California State University-San Marcos a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 →