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Liberal Arts & Humanities at Francis Marion University

Florence, SC · 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 $21,838/yr (-41% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #403 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	$457K	$457K	$433K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.2x	10.2x	9.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.3x	5.3x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	17	17	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$44,640

Out-of-state: $86,176 (5.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$53,804

-21% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$39,981

22.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$36,408

67% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $21,838 per year, Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates from Francis Marion University earn below the $37,172 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 10.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% 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 a 1.8x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #403 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places Francis Marion University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $21,838-to-$36,408 earnings arc over five years reflects a 67% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Francis Marion University

With 82% of applicants admitted, Francis Marion University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 2,640 students in Florence, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Francis Marion 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

Other Majors at Francis Marion 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 does a 17/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at Francis Marion University?

At 17/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

What's the payoff timeline for a Liberal Arts & Humanities degree from Francis Marion University?

At $39,981 in median debt, graduates carry 22 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Is Francis Marion University a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Francis Marion University'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 →