Area Studies at Hobart William Smith Colleges
Geneva, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
28
Optimistic
27
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings
$39,939/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market
Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)
ROI
1.9x earnings multiple
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Area Studies graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $474K | $476K | $451K |
| Earnings Multiple | 1.9x | 1.9x | 1.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 55% | 48% | 36% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 28 | 27 | 25 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$253,072
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,000
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
About Hobart William Smith Colleges
Hobart William Smith Colleges's 57% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 1,606 students in Geneva, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $124,228 over four years — 51% below sticker price.
See all programs and financial aid at Hobart William Smith Colleges →Top Career Paths
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
$84,290/yr
Compare & Explore
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Area Studies at Hobart William Smith Colleges?
A score of 27/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Area Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Area Studies careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $451,341 in decade earnings vs $473,717 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Hobart William Smith Colleges a hidden gem for Area Studies?
After financial aid, the average student pays $124,228 over four years — 51% below the $253,072 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →