History graduates earn $50,680 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,330 and $66,736. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
History is a specialized field of study. Graduates typically earn around $50,680 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 1,474 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 31,255 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$31,215
Median Earnings · 4yr
$50,680
Colleges Offering
1,474
Graduates / Year
31,255
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,074
How Much Do History Graduates Earn?
History graduates earn $50,680 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,330 and $66,736. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $31,215 climbs to $50,680 by year four.
$31,215
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$50,680
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$50,591
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across History graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$36,33025th pct.
$50,680Median
$66,73675th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $50,680 and an estimated $68,296 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.3 years.
Based on outcomes from 1,272 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 31,255 students who complete History programs each year, the majority (77%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
77%
Bachelor's77%
Master's12%
Associate's8%
What Can You Do With a History Degree?
History connects to 6 occupations in the job market. Natural Sciences Managers leads at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as ancient history, postwar civilizations, and the history of third-world countries.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.
Plan and organize the acquisition, storage, and exhibition of collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs, and develop or install exhibit materials.
Develop and maintain an institution's registration, cataloging, and basic record-keeping systems, using computer databases.
Plan and conduct special research projects in area of interest or expertise.
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingWriting
Day-to-day responsibilities
Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.
Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up.
Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration.
Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
Top Colleges for History
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many History students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by History graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Humanities Programs
History is the only program in its major group. The 11 programs below are from the broader Humanities field. Compare their 4-year median earnings to see where History fits.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a History program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
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The data on History shows 4 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $31,215 at graduation to $50,680 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +7.0% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 81,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 1,474 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $50,680 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($36,330) and 75th ($66,736) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
History Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do History graduates earn?
History graduates earn a national median of $50,680 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,330 and $66,736. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a History degree?
One year after graduation, History degree holders earn a median of $31,215. That climbs to $50,680 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a History degree?
History degree holders pursue careers including Natural Sciences Managers, which pays a median of $167,220/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a History program take?
A History bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer History?
1,474 colleges and universities in the United States offer History programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a History degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $50,680 and an average net price of roughly $17,074/yr, a History degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What skills do employers look for in History graduates?
Employers hiring History graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the job outlook for History graduates?
The job outlook for History graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Curators is among the strongest-growth roles at +7.0%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
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