Career Outcomes
A degree from the College of Arts and Letters prepares students for meaningful careers across education, government, business, finance, technology, communications, and community services.
Explore the career paths, roles, and salary outcomes of CAL graduates to see where a liberal arts education can take you.
Who hires CAL grads?
Top Roles for Graduates
- Social and Human Services Assistants
- Administrative Assistants (except Legal, Medical, and Executive)
- Management Analysts
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Business Operations Specialists, Public Relations Specialists
- Marketing Managers
Source: SDSU Alumni Career Pathways (CAL 2020-2025)
Salary Data
- Humanities majors (median): $76,006 (BA only); $98,378 (grad degree) → $84,250 (averaged out)
- Social Science majors: $88,852 (averaged BA and grad degrees)
- Business majors: $90,528 (averaged BA and grad degrees)
Source: California’s Humanities Majors: What They Earn & What They Do ( American Academy of Arts & Sciences, 2023)
When she thinks about her career journey, Imbres sees the wave as a metaphor. “You have to learn how to ride it, and to not swim against the current,” Imbres said. Her advice to students is “to be open to different opportunities — determine your unique skills set and find your superpowers.”Alumni Stories