Liberal Arts and Sciences at Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,136/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #106 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 and Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $475K $475K $451K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.2x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.9x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 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)
$38,848
Out-of-state: $97,248 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,324
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,017
7% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $42,136 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Colorado Mesa University earn slightly above the $37,172 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic ten-year scenarios is just 5% — this field's hands-on core resists automation.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $42,136 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #106 of 424 nationally, this is a top-5% Liberal Arts and Sciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $45,017 are relatively flat compared to the $42,136 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Colorado Mesa University

With 81% of applicants admitted, Colorado Mesa University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 7,604 in Grand Junction, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado Mesa University →

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 Colorado Mesa University

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Colorado Mesa University?
A score of 38/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes Colorado Mesa University's Liberal Arts and Sciences program stand out?
Ranked #106 of 424 programs nationally, Colorado Mesa University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →