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
25
Optimistic
24
Base Case
32
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,687
51% growth from Year 1
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
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 →