History at Allegheny College

Meadville, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
23
Optimistic
23
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,713/yr (-36% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #386 of 389 History programs

Program Analysis

A History degree from Allegheny College offers a strong foundation in critical thinking and research, but the financial data reflects a challenging path for many graduates. Meadville's regional job market is not robust for direct history-specific roles, meaning you'll often need to translate your valuable liberal arts skills into broader, entry-level positions in fields like education support, non-profits, or general administration, which typically offer lower starting salaries. While the page highlights high-earning careers like managers or postsecondary teachers, these often require significant experience, advanced degrees, or specific industry connections that aren't a direct outcome of an undergraduate history degree alone. The key is proactively building a bridge from your academic training to in-demand professional skills. To maximize your prospects, aggressively pursue internships, ideally outside the immediate Meadville area, and consider complementing your history studies with minors or certifications in areas like data analysis, project management, or communications to create a more direct pathway to desirable roles.

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 $639K $625K $565K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.8x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 23 23 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$219,840
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,600
60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
15.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,059
166% growth from Year 1

About Allegheny College

A 59% admission rate makes Allegheny College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 1,209 in Meadville, PA. The average net cost of $87,600 over four years represents a 60% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Allegheny 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 Allegheny College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at Allegheny College?
A score of 23/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for History. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is History at Allegheny College worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $20,713/yr starting salary means roughly 1.3 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 $564,899 in decade earnings vs $638,948 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with History from Allegheny 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.
Is Allegheny College a hidden gem for History?
After financial aid, the average student pays $87,600 over four years — 60% below the $219,840 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →