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Historic Preservationat College of Charleston

Graduates earn $35,326/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $529K; scenarios range from $494K to $532K depending on AI disruption.

Charleston, SC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
44 AVERAGE
44
Optimistic
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$35,326
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$529K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
46% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at College of Charleston

This program at the College of Charleston offers a unique pathway into a specialized field, significantly shaped by its location. Charleston's rich history and architectural heritage create a vibrant, hands-on laboratory for historic preservation and conservation, giving you unparalleled access to real-world projects and a strong local network. This isn't a broad degree; it's deeply focused, attracting students passionate about cultural stewardship. While initial career trajectories might show moderate starting salaries, the deep expertise you develop here often leads to leadership roles in managing historic properties, consulting for preservation projects, or even teaching at a postsecondary level, where your specialized knowledge commands higher compensation. The reported AI risk likely pertains to administrative or digital archival aspects, not the physical, hands-on work critical to conservation. To truly thrive, actively seek internships with local preservation societies, architectural firms, or government agencies, leveraging the city's unique demand for these skills.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$494K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple9.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$529K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple10.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$532K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple10.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to College of Charleston's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Historic Preservation graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Facilities managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 13,200 openings/yr
$104,690/yr
Moderate
3
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
+2.4% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$84,290/yr
High
4
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
5
Historians
+2.2% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$74,050/yr
Moderate
6
Archivists
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$61,570/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Also at College of Charleston

Other top programs at College of Charleston

Other highest-scoring programs offered at College of Charleston, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Historic Preservation at College of Charleston

What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Historic Preservation at College of Charleston?

At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Historic Preservation programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Historic Preservation at College of Charleston?

The 40% 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 College of Charleston one of the best schools for Historic Preservation?

Among 1 Historic Preservation programs, College of Charleston's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.