Home › University of California-San Diego › History

History at University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,713/yr (-33% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)

ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #240 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	$691K	$671K	$601K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.3x	11.0x	9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.7x	3.6x	3.3x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	39	38	38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$61,060

Out-of-state: $184,168 (3.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$47,000

23% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,756

9.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$60,566

179% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $21,713 place University of California-San Diego below the $32,281 national median for History — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 11.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $16,756 debt-to-$21,713 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #240 out of 389 programs, University of California-San Diego's financial outcomes for History trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $21,713 to $60,566 over five years (179% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of California-San Diego

University of California-San Diego accepts 25% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with 33,787 students enrolled in La Jolla, CA.

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

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-San Diego

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

How does University of California-San Diego's History program score?

This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for History. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is History to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' History careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are History earnings lower at University of California-San Diego?

Lower starting pay at University of California-San Diego may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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