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Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · 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 $40,009/yr (8% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #210 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$477K	$477K	$453K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.3x	12.3x	11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.6x	5.6x	5.3x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	33	37

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,912

Out-of-state: $85,088 (5.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,436

-50% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

5.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$39,695

Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $40,009/yr, edging above the $37,172 national average for Liberal Arts and Sciences — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 12.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 5%. Career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences are among the more automation-resistant we measure.

At $19,500 in median debt against $40,009 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #210 out of 424 programs, University of Northern Iowa's Liberal Arts and Sciences offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 7,599 students in Cedar Falls, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Iowa →

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 and Sciences at Other Schools

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Northern Iowa's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?

This program scores 33/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →