History at Albright College

Reading, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $19,041/yr (-41% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 5.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #377 of 389 History programs

Program Analysis

Albright's History program presents a significant earnings challenge, largely influenced by its regional context and program structure. Located in Reading, PA, the local labor market for history graduates is less robust compared to major metropolitan areas, often directing graduates towards generalist roles in local government, small businesses, or K-12 education, which typically offer more modest starting salaries. The program’s liberal arts focus, while valuable for critical thinking, doesn't always provide direct pipelines to the higher-paying, specialized roles you see listed without additional certifications or advanced degrees. Given the high AI risk for many generalist positions, you'll need to be proactive. Actively seek internships that build tangible skills like data analysis or project management, or consider pairing your history degree with a minor in a more career-focused field to enhance your marketability.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to History graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $589K $580K $530K
Earnings Multiple 5.1x 5.0x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$115,176
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$86,656
25% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
17.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,991
157% growth from Year 1

About Albright College

Albright College accepts 86% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,296 students in Reading, PA. Pell Grant recipients make up 50% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Albright College →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
History teachers, postsecondary $81,500/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

History at Other Schools

Other Majors at Albright College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at Albright College?
A score of 27/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for History. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is History at Albright College worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $19,041/yr starting salary means roughly 1.4 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace History careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $530,433 in decade earnings vs $589,357 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with History from Albright College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →