History at Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,607/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.0x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #133 of 389 History programs Top 50%

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 $598K $588K $536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.1x 10.0x 9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.1x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,064
Out-of-state: $96,504 (6.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,636
4% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,040
87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,607/yr, roughly in line with the $32,281 national median for History. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 10.0x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $31,607 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #133 of 389 History programs, Montclair State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $59,040 show a 87% jump from the $31,607 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Montclair State University

Montclair State University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 17,677 in Montclair, NJ. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Montclair State 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

Other Majors at Montclair State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at Montclair State University?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for History. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $536,419 in decade earnings vs $597,970 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →