Liberal Arts and Sciences at Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Colorado Mesa University accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 7,604 students in Grand Junction, CO.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,460/yr, edging above the $27,616 national average for Liberal Arts and Sciences — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 22.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 23% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Liberal Arts and Sciences career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $20,170 against $32,460/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #535 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places Colorado Mesa University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 29% earnings increase from $32,460 to $41,794 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
42
Score
42
High End
Earnings $32,460/yr (18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$438K
6.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
22.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$19,424
Out-of-state: $48,624
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,170
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,794
29% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof

About Liberal Arts and Sciences Careers

Your studies in humanities and sciences can lead to a career shaping minds in higher education. As a community college instructor, your days are focused on the classroom. You’ll craft engaging lectures, lead discussions on foundational texts, and spend afternoons in office hours, helping students one-on-one with their essays and research projects. At a four-year university, your role often expands to include original research, meaning you might spend your mornings teaching a seminar and your afternoons in the library archives, contributing new knowledge to your field by writing articles and books.

Read the full Liberal Arts and Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences Overview

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Colorado Mesa University

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 42/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at Colorado Mesa University?
At 42/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How safe is Liberal Arts and Sciences from automation?
Liberal Arts and Sciences rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 0% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →