Historyat University of California-Berkeley
Graduates earn $28,849/yr in their first year — about 11.0% below the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $634K; scenarios range from $572K to $649K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Berkeley
A UC Berkeley History degree equips you with exceptional critical thinking, research, and communication skills, highly valued across many sectors. The data reflects that many graduates initially pursue roles where these broad analytical abilities are prized, such as in government, non-profits, education, or as generalists in business, rather than a direct, high-paying entry-level pipeline. This can sometimes lead to a slower initial climb compared to more vocational degrees.
Given the Bay Area's dynamic economy, your rigorous training from Berkeley positions you well to pivot into diverse fields, from tech policy analysis to strategic communications. The high AI risk score underscores the importance of developing complementary, future-proof skills. Focus on internships and projects that blend your historical acumen with data analysis, project management, or digital humanities to translate your strong foundation into directly applicable professional experience.
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 UC Berkeley'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 UC Berkeley stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Berkeley
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Berkeley, 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 UC Berkeley
What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for History at University of California-Berkeley?
At 44/100, 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 University of California-Berkeley?
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.