Historyat Amherst College
Graduates earn $56,444/yr in their first year — about 75.0% above the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,326K; scenarios range from $1,104K to $1,415K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Amherst College
An Amherst History degree signifies a deep mastery of critical thinking, research, and persuasive communication, skills highly prized across diverse sectors. This isn't a vocational program; it's an intense intellectual training ground within an elite liberal arts environment, preparing you for complex problem-solving. Graduates often leverage this analytical toolkit to excel in fields like consulting, finance, or strategic management, where the ability to synthesize information and craft compelling narratives is crucial. The college's strong national reputation and extensive alumni network open doors far beyond the local Massachusetts market, connecting you with top-tier employers seeking adaptable, versatile thinkers. Your path might lead to leadership roles even in seemingly unrelated fields, as your capacity for rigorous analysis translates directly. Focus on developing those transferable skills and actively exploring diverse career applications throughout your studies.
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 Amherst College'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 Amherst College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Amherst College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Amherst College, 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 Amherst College
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.