Reporting tool — not an official determination. This tool reflects DOE rulemaking data and modeled estimates. The public file is grouped at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level; the proposed rule would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. Institutions assign CIP codes to their own programs, so similar-looking majors may be classified differently across colleges. Use as a reporting lead, not a regulatory finding.
States › California › San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA › Ashford University › Liberal Arts & Humanities › Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities.

Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities.

Ashford University · San Diego, CA · CIP 2401 · Bachelor
Passes DOE model
This grouping passes the DOE earnings model in the public rulemaking data.
⚠ Data caution
This record reflects a 4-digit CIP grouping (2401) used in DOE's public modeling file. Actual enforcement under the proposed rule would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. The specific programs inside this grouping depend on institution-assigned CIP coding and may not map neatly to how Ashford University markets its majors.
This CIP area is classification-sensitive — similar programs at other institutions are commonly coded differently.

Earnings data

Median earnings (yr 4 after completion)
$51,307
n=59
DOE earnings benchmark
$34,808
$16,499 above benchmark
Benchmark type
National HS Median

Program context

Enrollment & completion

Program enrollment
359 (2024–25)
470 (2023–24)
Completers
42 (2024–25)
48 (2023–24)
Non-completion rate
26.7%
149 non-completers (2022–23)
Completers with earnings data
59
used in DOE earnings test

Debt & financial aid

Median federal debt at graduation
$22,980
n=62
Loan recipients
162 (2024–25)
192 (2023–24)
Total loan volume
$951,823 (2024–25)
$1,157,256 (2023–24)
Pell recipients
197 (2024–25)
238 (2023–24)

Student demographics (2018–19 enrollment)

Women
67.0%
Black / African American
35.2%
Hispanic
17.1%
White
37.5%
Enrollment and financial aid data are from the PPD:2026 source files. Demographics reflect 2018–19 program enrollees. Privacy-suppressed values are not shown.

Story angle tags

area studies classification risk humanities

Reporting prompts

Methodology

What PPD:2026 is: The Department of Education's Program Performance Data file, released as part of the 2026 rulemaking. It models program outcomes at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level.

Why modeled exposure is not a final result: These are modeled estimates from a single cohort snapshot. They cannot account for future appeals, teach-outs, institutional changes, or student behavior changes.

The 4-digit vs. 6-digit gap: The public file uses 4-digit CIP codes. The actual proposed rule would use 6-digit codes. About 83% of 4-digit CIPs contain only one 6-digit CIP, but the rest may contain many.

Institution-assigned CIP codes: Institutions assign CIP codes to their own programs. Similar majors at different colleges can be classified under different CIP codes, especially for interdisciplinary or area-studies programs.

Earnings measurement: Earnings are measured roughly four years after program completion, which may undercount lifetime earnings in fields with slower early-career income growth.

Benchmarks: Undergraduate programs are benchmarked against working adults aged 25–34 with only a high school diploma. Graduate programs use a more complex bachelor's-degree benchmark.

Plain-language summary (copy for notes)

DOE's public rulemaking file suggests the broad program grouping Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities. (CIP 2401, Bachelor) at Ashford University carries a Passes DOE model designation under the proposed earnings-accountability rule. This grouping is defined at the institution × credential × 4-digit CIP level, while the actual proposal would operate at the 6-digit CIP level. This CIP area is also classification-sensitive — similar programs at peer institutions may be coded differently. This should be treated as a reporting lead rather than a definitive regulatory finding.