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History · History Rank #8 of 389

Historyat Harvard University

Graduates earn $53,468/yr in their first year — about 66.0% above the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $762K; scenarios range from $671K to $791K depending on AI disruption.

Cambridge, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
58 SOLID
59
Optimistic
54
Pessimistic
Earnings
$53,468
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$762K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Harvard University

Studying History at Harvard means you're not just learning facts; you're developing elite-level research, critical thinking, and persuasive communication skills. This rigorous, generalist education is highly valued across diverse sectors, often translating into management, consulting, finance, law, or public policy roles, rather than direct historian positions. The institutional prestige and robust alumni network in the Boston area and beyond open doors to top-tier employers like global consulting firms, investment banks, and leading tech companies seeking sharp analytical minds. While some roles might face emerging AI pressures, your ability to synthesize complex information and articulate nuanced arguments provides significant adaptability. To maximize this unique foundation, actively seek internships that apply your analytical toolkit to real-world business or policy challenges.

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
$671K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$762K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$791K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple3.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Harvard 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 Harvard 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 Harvard University

Other top programs at Harvard University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Harvard 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 Harvard University

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.