Liberal Arts & Humanities at East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
27
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,474/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (8.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #316 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs

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 $466K $466K $442K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.7x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.5x 8.5x 8.0x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 27 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,800
Out-of-state: $55,160 (8.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,176
-59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,482
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,474/yr, roughly in line with the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 11.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

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.

The $21,500 debt-to-$32,474 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #316 out of 424 programs, East Tennessee State University's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $32,474 to $41,482 shows 28% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About East Tennessee State University

East Tennessee State University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 9,807 students in Johnson City, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at East Tennessee State 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 & Humanities at Other Schools

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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

How does East Tennessee State University's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 27/100 — 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 →