History at University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,849/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #127 of 389 History programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

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.

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 $649K $634K $572K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.9x 10.7x 9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.5x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 44 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,400
Out-of-state: $182,508 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,916
-1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,034
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,873
118% growth from Year 1

About University of California-Berkeley

With just 12% of applicants admitted, University of California-Berkeley ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with 33,073 students enrolled in Berkeley, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Berkeley →

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 University of California-Berkeley

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 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →