Liberal Arts & Humanitiesat Cornell University
Graduates earn $46,072/yr in their first year — about 24.0% above the national Liberal Arts & Humanities average. Base-case 10-year earnings $509K; scenarios range from $484K to $509K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cornell University
A Cornell liberal arts foundation equips you with highly transferable skills that are prized across diverse sectors, explaining the strong career launch. Your analytical reasoning, communication, and problem-solving abilities, honed in a rigorous Ivy League environment, make you an attractive candidate for top-tier employers in consulting, finance, tech (for non-technical roles), media, and public service. This isn't about a single career path, but a versatile intellectual toolkit.
The low AI risk reflects that these roles often demand complex human judgment, creativity, ethical reasoning, and nuanced communication—areas where AI currently offers support, not replacement. Many graduates also pursue advanced degrees in law, medicine, or business, further leveraging their Cornell pedigree. To maximize this versatile degree, actively engage with Cornell's extensive alumni network and career services early to explore the myriad paths available.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cornell University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Liberal Arts & Humanities
How Cornell University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cornell University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornell University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Liberal Arts & Humanities offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Liberal Arts & Humanities trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Liberal Arts & Humanities at Cornell University
How does Cornell University's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How affordable is Liberal Arts & Humanities at Cornell University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $264,056, but the average net cost is $129,348 — a 51% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.