Entry Level Salary
$36,964
Median Salary
$68,148
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
29.9%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,725,920
Entry (Early)
$36,964
Median (Prime)
$68,148
High (Prime)
$76,517
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-122k
+147k
+215k
$25k / yr
-212k
+57k
+125k
$50k / yr
-302k
-33k
+35k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
30
28
$25k / yr
Never
43
36
$50k / yr
Never
Never
51
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-195%
53%
115%
$50k / yr
-139%
-15%
16%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate38.1%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Elementary and middle school teachers
5.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$62,534
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,475|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Postsecondary teachers
4.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$13,536
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,475|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Management occupations
3.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$54,275
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$93,713|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$84,413
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$161,394|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Secondary school teachers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,530|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Registered nurses
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,652
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,275|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Human resources workers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,561
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,994|$74,220
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.8%
Education and childcare administrators
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,000|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$46,628|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$30,726
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,271|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Undergraduate Pathway Guidance
The Humanities are typically studied under specific disciplines like English, Philosophy, or a general Liberal Arts degree.