Historyat California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Graduates earn $20,972/yr in their first year — about 35.0% below the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $509K; scenarios range from $476K to $511K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Your earnings trajectory with a History degree from Cal Poly Humboldt often reflects the realities of a smaller, regional labor market. Arcata, while a vibrant community, doesn't boast a vast array of high-paying corporate or government roles typically sought by humanities graduates. Instead, many alumni find fulfilling work in local public service, non-profits, education, or cultural institutions within the region, often prioritizing passion over hefty paychecks. The program likely fosters strong analytical and research skills, valuable for graduate studies or roles where critical thinking is paramount, but direct entry into high-paying positions can be challenging. To maximize your financial outlook, proactively combine your history studies with practical minors or internships in fields like data analysis, museum studies, or public administration, and actively seek opportunities beyond the immediate area.
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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt'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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Other highest-scoring programs offered at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
A score of 35/100 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 $475,732 in decade earnings vs $510,655 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with History from California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.