Historyat Fordham University
Graduates earn $20,075/yr in their first year — about 38.0% below the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $831K; scenarios range from $723K to $867K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Fordham University
Fordham's History program offers a rigorous liberal arts education in a highly competitive urban environment. The earnings profile reflects that many graduates initially pursue careers in fields like non-profit management, K-12 education, archives, or public service, which often have more modest starting salaries compared to direct corporate pipelines, especially in the expensive New York City labor market. While the program excels at developing critical thinking, research, and communication skills—highly valued across sectors—these foundational abilities typically require active translation into specific career paths. You'll find many alumni thriving in management or specialized roles *after* gaining experience or pursuing further education. To maximize your earning potential, proactively seek internships aligned with your desired industry and consider how to brand your analytical skills for roles beyond traditional academic or cultural institutions.
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 Fordham University'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 Fordham University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Fordham University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fordham 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 →Frequently asked about History at Fordham University
What does a 29/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at Fordham University?
At 29/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring History programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a History degree from Fordham University?
At $26,000 in median debt, graduates carry 16 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study History at Fordham 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 Fordham University a good choice for History despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Fordham University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.