History at Providence College

Providence, RI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,923/yr (30% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #139 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 $653K $637K $574K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.6x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$243,392
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$182,152
25% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,039
69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Providence College History graduates command $41,923/yr out of the gate, well above the $32,281 national median. That 30% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $41,923 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #139 of 389 History programs, Providence College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $71,039 show a 69% jump from the $41,923 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Providence College

Providence College's 49% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 4,170 students in Providence, RI.

See all programs and financial aid at Providence College →

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

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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 Providence College?
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 $574,342 in decade earnings vs $652,531 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →