Home › Massachusetts Institute of Technology › Liberal Arts and Sciences

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
45
Optimistic
46
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $103,135/yr (177% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #24 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 10%

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 $806K $806K $781K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.3x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 46 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$240,624
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,252
67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,935
1.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Liberal Arts and Sciences program earn $103,135/yr in their first year — 177% above the $37,172 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

At 3.3x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 3% 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 $11,935 in median debt against $103,135 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #24 of 424 programs, this Liberal Arts and Sciences program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

About Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology admits 5% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, a smaller institution with 4,571 students in Cambridge, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $79,252 — 67% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Massachusetts Institute of Technology →

Top Career Paths

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 424 schools offering Liberal Arts and Sciences →

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

DePaul University ($84,066) Molloy College ($74,868) Bentley University ($72,333) Champlain College ($71,207) Georgetown University ($66,719) Thomas More University ($62,607) Drexel University ($62,470) American Public University System ($62,059)

Other Majors at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Computer Science ($154,492) Mathematics and Computer Science ($126,153) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($117,345) Mathematics ($109,288) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($99,843) Mechanical Engineering ($83,957) Chemical Engineering ($80,139) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($70,696)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Liberal Arts and Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What do students actually pay for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The 67% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $240,624. At a net cost of $79,252, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →