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History at Harvard University

Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $53,468/yr (66% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

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

ROI 3.2x earnings multiple

Ranked #8 of 389 History programs Top 5%

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	$791K	$762K	$671K
Earnings Multiple	3.3x	3.2x	2.8x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	59	58	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$236,304

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,264

72% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$12,721

2.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$94,015

76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Harvard University History graduates command $53,468/yr out of the gate, well above the $32,281 national median. That 66% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

An earnings multiple of 3.2x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,721 in median debt clears quickly against $53,468 in annual earnings.

At #8 of 389 nationally, this is a top-5% History program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $94,015 show a 76% jump from the $53,468 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Harvard University

Only 3% of applicants gain admission to Harvard University, reflecting elite selectivity, enrolling 7,755 students in Cambridge, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $67,264 — 72% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Harvard University →

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

Compare History

Other Majors at Harvard University

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 Harvard University?

A score of 58/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the History field.

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 $670,810 in decade earnings vs $791,323 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Harvard University's History program stand out?

Ranked #8 of 389 programs nationally, Harvard University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Is Harvard University a hidden gem for History?

After financial aid, the average student pays $67,264 over four years — 72% below the $236,304 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 →