History at California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,862/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
High (44% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI
18.7x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)
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 | $511K | $509K | $476K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 18.7x | 18.7x | 17.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.8x | 6.8x | 6.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 45% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 42 | 42 | 41 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,252
Out-of-state: $74,792 (6.8x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,777
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,986
71% growth from Year 1
About California State University-Los Angeles
A 92% acceptance rate means California State University-Los Angeles is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 21,478 students in Los Angeles, CA. With 66% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $16,452 over four years — 40% below sticker price.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Los Angeles →Top Career Paths
Natural sciences managers
$161,180/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
History teachers, postsecondary
$81,500/yr
Compare & Explore
History at Other Schools
Other Majors at California State University-Los Angeles
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 does a 42/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at California State University-Los Angeles?
At 42/100, 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 California State University-Los Angeles?
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.
Is California State University-Los Angeles a good choice for History despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Los Angeles's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →