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Liberal Arts and Sciences at Hampshire College

Amherst, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,113/yr (-43% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 1.9x earnings multiple

Ranked #424 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 and Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$432K	$432K	$407K
Earnings Multiple	1.9x	1.9x	1.8x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	9	8	13

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$226,520

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$103,240

54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,000

14.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$32,405

53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $21,113 place Hampshire College below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 1.9x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 6% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts and Sciences involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At a 1.2x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #424 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Hampshire College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $21,113-to-$32,405 earnings arc over five years reflects a 53% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Hampshire College

Hampshire College accepts 70% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 716 in Amherst, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $103,240 — 54% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Hampshire 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 and Sciences at Other Schools

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 8/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Hampshire College?

At 8/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

What's the payoff timeline for a Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from Hampshire College?

At $26,000 in median debt, graduates carry 15 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Is Hampshire College a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Hampshire College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

What do students actually pay for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Hampshire College?

The 54% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $226,520. At a net cost of $103,240, the earnings multiple improves substantially.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →