History at Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,675/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #265 of 389 History programs

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 $476K $477K $451K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.9x 9.0x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.3x 6.3x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,216
Out-of-state: $75,200 (6.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,940
-31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,500
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,326
33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,675/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 9.0x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,500 represents roughly 9 months of the $32,675 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #265 of 389 History programs, Northern Michigan University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $32,675 to $43,326 over five years — a 33% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Northern Michigan University

A 70% admission rate makes Northern Michigan University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving 6,425 students in Marquette, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Michigan 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 Northern Michigan 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 Northern Michigan University?
A score of 37/100 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 $451,310 in decade earnings vs $475,519 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →