Historyat American University
Graduates earn $43,809/yr in their first year — about 36.0% above the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $525K; scenarios range from $488K to $529K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at American University
Your strong earnings potential from an American University History degree isn't just about the subject; it's a direct reflection of its prime Washington, D.C. location. The analytical rigor, research capabilities, and compelling storytelling you hone as a History major are uniquely valuable in the capital's dense ecosystem of government agencies, think tanks, non-profits, and museums. This environment provides unparalleled access to internships and entry-level roles that highly value critical thinking and contextual understanding, leading to a strong early career trajectory. Many graduates leverage these skills into policy analysis, advocacy, consulting, or even managerial positions within these D.C.-centric industries, rather than purely academic historical roles. The university’s strong regional reputation and established pipelines into these sectors mean you're well-positioned for upward mobility. To maximize this advantage, actively seek out internships and networking opportunities within D.C. from your first year.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to American University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering History
How American University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at American University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at American University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in History offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare History trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about History at American University
How does American University's History program score?
This program scores 39/100 — on the lower end for History. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is History to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' History careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.