Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,203/yr (-38% vs median)
AI Risk Low (0% exposed)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)
ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #291 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs

Program Analysis

Studying Liberal Arts and Sciences at UC Riverside offers a foundational intellectual experience, but your initial career trajectory will heavily depend on how you leverage this broad degree within the local Inland Empire job market. Unlike majors with direct vocational pipelines, this program emphasizes critical thinking and communication—skills valuable across many sectors, yet often requiring you to actively define your niche. The regional economy, while growing, typically doesn't offer the same density of high-paying entry-level corporate roles that might recruit general humanities majors in larger metropolitan hubs. Consequently, many graduates find initial roles in local government, non-profits, education support, or small to medium-sized businesses, where the focus is on transferable skills rather than specialized technical expertise. To maximize your post-graduation earnings, actively seek internships that provide concrete work experience and explore how your humanities background can translate into specific, in-demand skills or prepare you for further specialized education.

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 $669K $669K $645K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.8x 11.8x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.7x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 45% 45% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 28 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,680
Out-of-state: $179,788 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,828
3% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,625
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,690
166% growth from Year 1

About University of California-Riverside

University of California-Riverside's 63% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 22,644 in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Riverside →

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 California-Riverside

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

How does University of California-Riverside's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Liberal Arts & Humanities earnings lower at University of California-Riverside?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Riverside may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →