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Liberal Arts and Sciences at Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ · 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 $22,201/yr (-40% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 10.4x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #348 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	$612K	$612K	$587K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.4x	10.4x	9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.3x	6.3x	6.1x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	25	24	29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$59,064

Out-of-state: $96,504 (6.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,636

4% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,551

12.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,979

148% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $22,201 place Montclair State University below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 10.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% 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 a 1.0x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #348 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Montclair State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $22,201-to-$54,979 earnings arc over five years reflects a 148% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Montclair State University

Montclair State University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 17,677 students in Montclair, NJ. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Montclair 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 and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Montclair State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 24/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Montclair State University?

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

What's the payoff timeline for a Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from Montclair State University?

At $22,551 in median debt, graduates carry 12 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Is Montclair State University a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Montclair 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 →