Liberal Arts and Sciences at McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

McNeese State University accepts 68% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 4,846 students in Lake Charles, LA.

Program Analysis

McNeese State University Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates command $37,650/yr out of the gate, well above the $27,616 national median. That 36% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 23.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Liberal Arts and Sciences involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,705 in median debt clears fast against $37,650 in annual earnings.

A #399 ranking among 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places McNeese State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $37,650 to $40,109 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
45
Score
45
High End
Earnings $37,650/yr (36% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$405K
1.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
23.9x
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)
$16,920
Out-of-state: $19,920
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,705
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,109
7% 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

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does McNeese State University's Liberal Arts and Sciences program score?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Will AI replace Liberal Arts and Sciences jobs?
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 →