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Liberal Arts & Humanities at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,916/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 7.9x earnings multiple (2.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #346 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	$502K	$502K	$478K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	7.9x	7.9x	7.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.9x	2.9x	2.8x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	25	24	32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$63,952

Out-of-state: $173,488 (2.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$83,004

-30% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

10.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,687

51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,916 place Michigan State University below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

A 7.9x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 5% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts & Humanities involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $27,000 against $30,916/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #346 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places Michigan State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $30,916-to-$46,687 earnings arc over five years reflects a 51% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 40,243 students enrolled in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan State 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 Michigan State University

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 24/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at Michigan State University?

At 24/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Michigan State University a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities despite lower starting pay?

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

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