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History at Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $53,828/yr (67% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)

ROI 2.1x earnings multiple

Ranked #120 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	$588K	$579K	$530K
Earnings Multiple	2.1x	2.1x	1.9x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$276,180

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$80,592

71% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

4.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$66,087

23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Columbia University in the City of New York History graduates command $53,828/yr out of the gate, well above the $32,281 national median. That 67% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The financial case is thin at 2.1x — 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,500 in median debt clears quickly against $53,828 in annual earnings.

At #120 of 389 History programs, Columbia University in the City of New York scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $53,828 to $66,087 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Columbia University in the City of New York

Only 4% of applicants gain admission to Columbia University in the City of New York, reflecting elite selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 8,899 in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $80,592 over four years — 71% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbia University in the City of New York →

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 Columbia University in the City of New York

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 Columbia University in the City of New York?

A score of 45/100 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 $529,812 in decade earnings vs $588,464 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Columbia University in the City of New York a hidden gem for History?

After financial aid, the average student pays $80,592 over four years — 71% below the $276,180 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →