Liberal Arts & Humanities at Columbia College

Columbia, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,133/yr (21% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 5.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #142 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 $527K $527K $502K
Earnings Multiple 5.4x 5.4x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 37 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$97,304
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$96,204
1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,494
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,849
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $45,133 at Columbia College come in 21% above the national median of $37,172 for Liberal Arts & Humanities programs.

At 5.4x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 5%. Career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

With first-year pay of $45,133 far exceeding the $21,494 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #142 out of 424 programs, Columbia College's Liberal Arts & Humanities offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $45,133 to $54,849 shows 22% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Columbia College

serving 5,359 students in Columbia, MO. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia College →

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 Columbia College

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 Columbia College's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →