Historyat Mount Holyoke College
Graduates earn $23,337/yr in their first year — about 28.0% below the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $535K; scenarios range from $496K to $539K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Mount Holyoke College
While Mount Holyoke's History program offers a rigorous liberal arts education, emphasizing critical thinking and research, it presents a distinct challenge for immediate career entry and high earnings. The core skills you develop are highly transferable, but the direct job market for pure history roles outside of academia or museums is incredibly competitive and often demands advanced degrees. Many graduates pivot significantly, leveraging their analytical abilities in management or other fields after gaining experience, as reflected in diverse career paths. To maximize your prospects, proactively seek internships throughout your studies, perhaps in areas like data analysis, market research, or non-profit management, and be prepared to articulate how your historical training equips you for varied professional roles beyond traditional history careers.
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 Mount Holyoke College'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 Mount Holyoke College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Mount Holyoke College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Mount Holyoke College, 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 Mount Holyoke College
How does Mount Holyoke College's History program score?
This program scores 21/100 — on the lower end for History. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Mount Holyoke College History graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is History to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' History careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are History earnings lower at Mount Holyoke College?
Lower starting pay at Mount Holyoke College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is History at Mount Holyoke College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $256,568, but the average net cost is $118,248 — a 54% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.