History at Roanoke College
Salem, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,940/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk
High (44% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI
3.6x earnings multiple
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 | $535K | $531K | $492K |
| Earnings Multiple | 3.6x | 3.6x | 3.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 50% | 45% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 27 | 26 | 26 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$147,096
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
12.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,394
87% growth from Year 1
About Roanoke College
With 80% of applicants admitted, Roanoke College prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 1,801 students in Salem, VA.
See all programs and financial aid at Roanoke College →Top Career Paths
Natural sciences managers
$161,180/yr
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
History teachers, postsecondary
$81,500/yr
Compare & Explore
History at Other Schools
Other Majors at Roanoke College
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 Roanoke College?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for History. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is History at Roanoke College worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $25,940/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $492,442 in decade earnings vs $534,700 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with History from Roanoke College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →