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History · History Rank #9 of 389

Historyat Duke University

Graduates earn $60,750/yr in their first year — about 88.0% above the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $686K; scenarios range from $612K to $707K depending on AI disruption.

Durham, NC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
57 SOLID
57
Optimistic
52
Pessimistic
Earnings
$60,750
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.3x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$686K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Duke University

A Duke History degree, especially from a highly selective institution like this, consistently demonstrates strong outcomes not because graduates become traditional historians en masse, but due to the rigorous analytical, research, and communication skills you cultivate. Duke's brand and extensive alumni network open doors into diverse fields like consulting, finance, and project management, particularly within the Research Triangle Park's robust tech and healthcare ecosystem, where your ability to synthesize complex information is highly valued. While "historian" is a direct path, many graduates leverage these transferable skills to ascend into management roles across various industries. The high AI risk reflects how automation can impact certain analytical and administrative tasks within those broader management careers, not a direct threat to historical inquiry itself. To thrive, actively seek internships that allow you to apply your critical thinking in dynamic business environments, leveraging Duke's strong career services to bridge your humanities foundation with practical professional experience.

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
$612K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$686K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$707K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where History 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
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
History teachers, postsecondary
-0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$81,500/yr
High
4
Historians
+2.2% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$74,050/yr
Moderate
5
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
6
Curators
+7.0% 10-yr growth · 1,800 openings/yr
$61,770/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering History

How Duke University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
2.6x
ROI
University of Houston-Clear Lake
TX · Public
64
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Top score
Amherst College
MA · Private nonprofit
65
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Yale University
CT · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
1.1x
ROI
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
1.4x
ROI
Also at Duke University

Other top programs at Duke University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Duke University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about History at Duke University

What does a 57/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at Duke University?

At 57/100, Duke University's History program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study History at Duke University?

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 Duke University one of the best schools for History?

Among 389 History programs, Duke University's #9 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.