Liberal Arts & Humanitiesat Southern University at New Orleans
Graduates earn $25,777/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Liberal Arts & Humanities average. Base-case 10-year earnings $403K; scenarios range from $379K to $403K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Southern University at New Orleans
Your journey with a general humanities degree from Southern University at New Orleans will immerse you in a rich academic environment, but it's important to understand how that translates to the local job market. New Orleans' economy, while vibrant, is heavily influenced by tourism, hospitality, non-profits, and local government, fields that often have different salary structures compared to national averages, especially at entry-level.
This program provides a broad, versatile skillset—critical thinking, communication, and adaptability—which are invaluable. However, without a highly specialized focus, initial career paths often lead to roles in administrative support, community organizations, or cultural institutions within the city. Many graduates build foundational experience here before leveraging their skills into management, further education, or more specialized fields. To maximize your earning potential, actively seek internships that align with specific career interests, and consider pairing your studies with a minor or certificate in a more directly vocational area like business, digital media, or even K-12 education, to create a clearer pathway into higher-paying roles.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Southern University at New Orleans's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Liberal Arts & Humanities
How Southern University at New Orleans stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Southern University at New Orleans
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Southern University at New Orleans, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Liberal Arts & Humanities offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Liberal Arts & Humanities trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Liberal Arts & Humanities at Southern University at New Orleans
How does Southern University at New Orleans's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 22/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Southern University at New Orleans Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.4x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Why are Liberal Arts & Humanities earnings lower at Southern University at New Orleans?
Lower starting pay at Southern University at New Orleans may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.