Historyat California State University-Fresno
Graduates earn $21,642/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $555K; scenarios range from $511K to $562K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Fresno State
Your post-graduation earnings with a History degree from CSU-Fresno reflect the realities of a regional labor market and the broad applicability of a humanities education. In the Central Valley, many graduates find roles in local government, K-12 education, or non-profit sectors, which often feature more modest salary growth compared to national averages for specialized fields. The program excels at developing critical thinking and research skills, but translating these directly into high-paying roles typically requires intentional career planning. Many students don't pursue the graduate-level education often needed for positions like historians or postsecondary teachers, instead leveraging their skills in more generalist roles. To maximize your potential, actively seek internships early, ideally combining your historical expertise with practical skills like data analysis, project management, or communications to differentiate yourself in the job market.
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 Fresno State'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 Fresno State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Fresno State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fresno State, 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 Fresno State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at California State University-Fresno?
A score of 41/100 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 $511,198 in decade earnings vs $561,688 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with History from California State University-Fresno?
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.