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Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities — 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities at Montclair 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.

What's the payoff timeline for a Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 →