Liberal Arts & Humanities at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Certificate · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

With a 50% acceptance rate, Purdue University-Main Campus is moderately selective, with 39,637 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN.

Program Analysis

Purdue University-Main Campus Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates command $79,921/yr out of the gate, well above the $27,616 national median. That 189% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 83.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 0% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,845 in median debt clears fast against $79,921 in annual earnings.

A #2 ranking out of 830 programs puts Purdue University-Main Campus in the top 1% for Liberal Arts & Humanities. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
68
Score
68
High End
Earnings $79,921/yr (189% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$836K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
83.7x
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)
$9,992
Out-of-state: $28,794
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,845
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings

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

Other Majors at Purdue University-Main Campus

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 Purdue University-Main Campus's Liberal Arts & Humanities program score?
This program scores 68/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates.
How AI-proof is a career in Liberal Arts & Humanities?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Liberal Arts & Humanities work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Purdue University-Main Campus's score of 68/100 reflects this durability.
How affordable is Liberal Arts & Humanities at Purdue University-Main Campus?
At $17,845 in median debt, Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates from Purdue University-Main Campus carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Purdue University-Main Campus rank so high for Liberal Arts & Humanities?
Among 830 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs, Purdue University-Main Campus's #2 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →