Home › Barnard College › History

History at Barnard College

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,092/yr (49% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #119 of 389 History programs Top 50%

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 $522K $519K $484K
Earnings Multiple 2.0x 2.0x 1.8x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,984
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$157,012
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,350
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates of Barnard College's History program earn $48,092/yr in their first year — 49% above the $32,281 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

At 2.0x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some History career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $16,350 in median debt against $48,092 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #119 ranking among 389 History programs places Barnard College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About Barnard College

Barnard College admits 8% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, with a smaller student body of 3,219 in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $157,012 over four years — 41% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Barnard 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) Amherst College ($56,444) Yale University ($54,700) Columbia University in the City of New York ($53,828) Harvard University ($53,468) Northwestern University ($50,161)

Other Majors at Barnard College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($107,434) Economics ($85,860) Political Science and Government ($57,298) Sociology ($48,215) Biology, General ($47,329) Research and Experimental Psychology ($44,055) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($42,622) English Language and Literature, General ($40,414)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare History trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at Barnard College?
At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring History programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study History at Barnard College?
The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →