Liberal Arts & Humanities at National University

San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

serving 9,725 students in San Diego, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,545 put National University's Liberal Arts & Humanities program 50% above the national median of $27,616 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 26.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts & Humanities programs nationally.

The 38% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 0% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates.

With first-year pay of $41,545 far exceeding the $10,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #246 of 830 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs, National University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $63,201 show a 52% jump from the $41,545 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
48
Score
48
High End
Earnings $41,545/yr (50% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$697K
11.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
26.2x
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
$26,640
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,500
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,201
52% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities 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

Liberal Arts & Humanities Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Liberal Arts & Humanities careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Liberal Arts & Humanities career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities Overview

Liberal Arts & Humanities at Other Schools

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 48/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at National University?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How safe is Liberal Arts & Humanities from automation?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 0% of Liberal Arts & Humanities tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 1 of 1 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
How affordable is Liberal Arts & Humanities at National University?
Median debt of just $10,500 against $41,545/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →