Historyat Smith College
Graduates earn $26,131/yr in their first year — about 19.0% below the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $613K; scenarios range from $556K to $626K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Smith College
A History degree from Smith, an elite liberal arts college, cultivates exceptional analytical, research, and communication skills. While the initial earnings trajectory might appear lower compared to highly specialized technical fields, this reflects the diverse, often non-linear career paths Smith graduates pursue. Many leverage their foundational knowledge in fields like education, museum curation, archival work, publishing, or public policy, where salaries can grow significantly with experience or further study. The high AI risk indicated often applies to rote data compilation rather than the critical interpretation and nuanced storytelling you'll master. Your Smith education equips you for roles at cultural institutions, government agencies, or even law and business, where your ability to contextualize complex information is invaluable. Focus on internships that bridge your historical expertise with practical skills in areas like data analysis, project management, or digital humanities to maximize your early career opportunities.
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 Smith 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 Smith College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Smith College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Smith 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 Smith College
What does a 25/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at Smith College?
At 25/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring History programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study History at Smith College?
The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Smith College a good choice for History despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Smith College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for History at Smith College?
The 57% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $246,272. At a net cost of $104,724, the earnings multiple improves substantially.