Home Schools Fordham University History
History · History Rank #372 of 389

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.

Bronx, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
29 AT RISK
29
Optimistic
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$20,075
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$831K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

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.

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
$723K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$831K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple3.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$867K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Earnings Trajectory

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.

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 Fordham 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
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
57
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
2.3x
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
Also at Fordham University

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 →
FAQ

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.