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History at Amherst College

Amherst, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
65
Optimistic
65
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $56,444/yr (75% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 4.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #1 of 389 History programs Top 1%

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 $1,415K $1,326K $1,104K
Earnings Multiple 5.3x 4.9x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 65 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$269,120
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,984
73% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$158,858
181% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $56,444 per year, History graduates from Amherst College significantly outpace the $32,281 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

An earnings multiple of 4.9x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in History's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 22% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #1 of 389 History programs nationally, Amherst College sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $158,858 show a 181% jump from the $56,444 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Amherst College

With just 10% of applicants admitted, Amherst College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with a smaller student body of 1,907 in Amherst, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $72,984 — 73% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Amherst 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

Compare this program → View all 389 schools offering History →

History at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($61,127) Duke University ($60,750) University of Houston-Clear Lake ($57,239) Yale University ($54,700) Columbia University in the City of New York ($53,828) Harvard University ($53,468) Northwestern University ($50,161) Nevada State University ($50,149)

Compare History

Amherst College vs Dartmouth College → Amherst College vs Duke University → Amherst College vs University of Houston-Clear Lake → Amherst College vs Harvard University → Amherst College vs Nevada State University →

Other Majors at Amherst College

Computer Science ($100,596) Economics ($90,568) Mathematics ($78,500) Political Science and Government ($61,125) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($49,322) Area Studies ($49,149) Research and Experimental Psychology ($45,786) English Language and Literature, General ($41,979)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare History trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Amherst College?
A score of 65/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the History field.
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 $1,104,385 in decade earnings vs $1,415,128 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Amherst College's History program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 389 programs nationally, Amherst College lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is Amherst College a hidden gem for History?
After financial aid, the average student pays $72,984 over four years — 73% below the $269,120 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 →