History at Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,341/yr (28% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #148 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 $667K $650K $585K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.4x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$270,720
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$159,464
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,997
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,601
76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Boston College's History program earn $41,341/yr in their first year — 28% above the $32,281 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The financial case is thin at 2.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,997 in median debt against $41,341 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #148 of 389 History programs, Boston College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $72,601 show a 76% jump from the $41,341 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Boston College

Boston College admits 16% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving 9,865 students in Chestnut Hill, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $159,464 — 41% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston College?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for History. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $584,636 in decade earnings vs $667,345 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →