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Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR · 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 $26,728/yr (-28% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #305 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	$487K	$487K	$463K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.6x	17.6x	16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.8x	8.8x	8.4x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	29	27	35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$27,624

Out-of-state: $55,080 (8.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$40,388

-46% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,938

10.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$42,814

60% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,728/yr fall 28% below the $37,172 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 17.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

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 $22,938 against $26,728/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #305 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places University of Arkansas-Fort Smith in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $26,728-to-$42,814 earnings arc over five years reflects a 60% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,133 students in Fort Smith, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith →

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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 27/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?

At 27/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is University of Arkansas-Fort Smith a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Arkansas-Fort Smith'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 →