Home Schools University of Kansas History
History · History Rank #63 of 389

Historyat University of Kansas

Graduates earn $42,451/yr in their first year — about 32.0% above the national History average. Base-case 10-year earnings $490K; scenarios range from $461K to $490K depending on AI disruption.

Lawrence, KS Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
49 AVERAGE
49
Optimistic
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,451
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$490K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Kansas

The strong earnings for KU History graduates aren't merely statistical noise; they reflect how a robust liberal arts foundation from a flagship public university translates into valuable professional skills. Many graduates leverage their sophisticated critical thinking, research, and communication abilities into diverse roles, often in management or project leadership within various sectors, rather than solely traditional history professions. The regional labor market, particularly the Kansas City metro area, provides opportunities in government, non-profits, and business where these versatile talents are highly sought. KU’s strong alumni network and institutional reputation likely play a significant role in opening doors. While an AI risk is noted, your ability to analyze complex information and craft compelling narratives remains crucial. Focus on internships and professional development early on to connect your academic strengths with practical career paths.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$461K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple9.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$490K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple10.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$490K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple10.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Kansas's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where History graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
3
History teachers, postsecondary
-0.2% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$81,500/yr
High
4
Historians
+2.2% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$74,050/yr
Moderate
5
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
-1.6% 10-yr growth · 66,200 openings/yr
$64,580/yr
Moderate
6
Curators
+7.0% 10-yr growth · 1,800 openings/yr
$61,770/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering History

How University of Kansas stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
2.6x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
57
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
University of Houston-Clear Lake
TX · Public
64
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
15.7x
ROI
Top score
Amherst College
MA · Private nonprofit
65
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Yale University
CT · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
1.1x
ROI
Also at University of Kansas

Other top programs at University of Kansas

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Kansas, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about History at University of Kansas

How does University of Kansas's History program score?

This program scores 49/100 — 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 does University of Kansas rank so high for History?

The #63 ranking out of 389 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.