Liberal Arts and Sciences at Indiana University-South Bend

South Bend, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
30
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,716/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 14.1x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #271 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 $460K $460K $436K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.1x 14.1x 13.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.2x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 30 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,716
Out-of-state: $88,172 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$33,456
-2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,444
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,789
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,716/yr, roughly in line with the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic ten-year scenarios is just 5% — this field's hands-on core resists automation.

Median debt of $20,444 represents roughly 7 months of the $33,716 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #271 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, Indiana University-South Bend falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $33,716 to $40,789 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Indiana University-South Bend

Indiana University-South Bend accepts 86% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 3,807 students in South Bend, IN. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University-South Bend →

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

Other Majors at Indiana University-South Bend

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Indiana University-South Bend?
A score of 30/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →