Home Schools University of North Carolina Asheville Liberal Arts & Humanities
Liberal Arts · Liberal Arts & Humanities Rank #363 of 424

Liberal Arts & Humanitiesat University of North Carolina Asheville

Graduates earn $22,144/yr in their first year — about 40.0% below the national Liberal Arts & Humanities average. Base-case 10-year earnings $486K; scenarios range from $461K to $486K depending on AI disruption.

Asheville, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
23 AT RISK
24
Optimistic
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,144
1-year post-graduation
ROI
12.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$486K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Low
16% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina Asheville

A degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from UNC Asheville offers a rich educational experience, cultivating critical thinking and communication skills highly valued across many sectors. However, the data reflects a common trend for broad humanities degrees, especially when graduates tend to stay within the local Asheville labor market. The region’s economy, while vibrant and growing, is heavily influenced by tourism, healthcare, and a thriving arts and non-profit scene, which often don't command the highest entry-level salaries for generalist roles compared to more specialized urban markets.

Many graduates find fulfilling careers in education, community development, local government, or creative fields, often requiring additional certifications, internships, or graduate studies to specialize their broad skill set. Your path might involve working with local organizations, contributing to the region's cultural landscape, or leveraging your interdisciplinary background in customer-facing or administrative roles for smaller businesses. To maximize your post-graduation earnings and career trajectory, consider pairing your liberal arts foundation with practical skills acquired through internships, minors in high-demand fields like data analysis or digital marketing, or by actively networking with alumni in your desired industry during your studies.

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
$461K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple15.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$486K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple16.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$486K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple16.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of North Carolina Asheville'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 North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville

Other top programs at University of North Carolina Asheville

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina Asheville, 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 North Carolina Asheville

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of North Carolina Asheville?

A score of 23/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Can you still earn well with Liberal Arts & Humanities from University of North Carolina Asheville?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.