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Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME · 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 $29,716/yr (-20% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #335 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	$491K	$491K	$467K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.2x	11.2x	10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.5x	4.5x	4.3x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	26	25	33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,680

Out-of-state: $108,416 (4.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,916

-7% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,767

9.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,622

50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,716 per year, Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates from University of Southern Maine earn below the $37,172 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 11.2x 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 $22,767 against $29,716/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #335 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places University of Southern Maine in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $29,716-to-$44,622 earnings arc over five years reflects a 50% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Southern Maine

With 79% of applicants admitted, University of Southern Maine prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 4,245 in Portland, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Maine →

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 Southern Maine

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 25/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of Southern Maine?

At 25/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is University of Southern Maine a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Southern Maine'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 →