History at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,101/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #300 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 $481K $482K $455K
Earnings Multiple 9.1x 9.1x 8.6x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$52,976
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,708
-22% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,687
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,377
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's History program produces graduates earning $30,101/yr — within striking distance of the $32,281 national average for this field.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.1x 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 $21,687 represents roughly 9 months of the $30,101 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #300 of 389 History programs, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $30,101 to $43,377 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

A 90% acceptance rate means Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 8,116 students in Carbondale, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale →

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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
A score of 35/100 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 $455,366 in decade earnings vs $481,354 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →