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Liberal Arts · Liberal Arts & Humanities Rank #214 of 424

Liberal Arts & Humanitiesat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Graduates earn $38,065/yr in their first year — about 2.0% above the national Liberal Arts & Humanities average. Base-case 10-year earnings $521K; scenarios range from $497K to $521K depending on AI disruption.

Ann Arbor, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
33 AT RISK
34
Optimistic
38
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,065
1-year post-graduation
ROI
6.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$521K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Low
16% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Michigan

Your degree from a top-tier institution like the University of Michigan provides a robust foundation, even within a broad field like Liberal Arts and Sciences. While these general studies degrees don't typically lead to a singular, high-paying entry-level job right out of college, UofM's reputation signals strong critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving abilities to employers. You'll often find initial roles in project coordination, communications, analyst positions, or non-profit work, leveraging your versatility. Many graduates also pursue further education, which is reflected in paths like postsecondary teaching. The key is to actively build a professional network and seek internships that align your broad skills with specific industry needs, whether in tech, consulting, government, or education, turning your generalist background into a strategic asset.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$497K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple7.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$521K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score33/100
Earnings Multiple7.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$521K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple7.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Michigan's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates typically work

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.

1
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Liberal Arts & Humanities

How University of Michigan stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MA · Private nonprofit
46
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
DePaul University
IL · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$84K
1-yr earn
3.8x
ROI
Molloy College
NY · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$75K
1-yr earn
3.9x
ROI
Bentley University
MA · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$72K
1-yr earn
3.4x
ROI
Champlain College
VT · Private nonprofit
38
DW Score
$71K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
Also at University of Michigan

Other top programs at University of Michigan

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of Michigan

What does a 33/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

At 33/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.