Liberal Arts & Humanities at Marshall University

Huntington, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,282/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #330 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 $446K $446K $421K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.5x 12.5x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.5x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,768
Out-of-state: $81,176 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$33,308
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,758
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,919
17% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,282 track close to the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 12.5x 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 6%. Career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

The $23,758 debt-to-$32,282 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #330 out of 424 programs, Marshall University's financial outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $32,282 to $37,919 over five years (17% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Marshall University

Marshall University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 7,149 in Huntington, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at Marshall 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 Marshall University

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 Marshall University's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 26/100 — 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 →