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Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · 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 $25,046/yr (-33% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #274 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 and Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$667K	$667K	$642K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.7x	11.7x	11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.5x	5.5x	5.3x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	30	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$57,188

Out-of-state: $121,676 (5.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,092

-3% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,028

8.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,192

152% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $25,046 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Wayne State University earn below the $37,172 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 11.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts and Sciences involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $18,028 against $25,046/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #274 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Wayne State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $25,046-to-$63,192 earnings arc over five years reflects a 152% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Wayne State University

With 82% of applicants admitted, Wayne State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 15,676 in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne State University →

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

Other Majors at Wayne State University

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

What does a 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University?

At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Wayne State University a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Wayne State University'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 →