History at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,592/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 15.2x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #45 of 389 History programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

A History degree from a prestigious institution like UNC Chapel Hill provides a robust foundation in critical thinking, research, and persuasive communication—highly valued skills that translate across many sectors. Your strong outcomes reflect the university's reputation and its graduates' ability to leverage these analytical strengths into diverse roles, particularly in management, where understanding complex systems and human behavior is paramount. Many of your peers will find success in the Research Triangle's dynamic economy, applying their historical perspective in fields from government to non-profits and even tech, often in project coordination or strategic planning capacities. However, the high AI risk associated with history degrees emphasizes the need to actively develop complementary technical or data analysis skills. To maximize your prospects, actively seek internships that apply your research and analytical abilities in a professional setting, demonstrating how your deep understanding of context can drive real-world solutions.

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 $553K $547K $505K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.4x 15.2x 14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,956
Out-of-state: $157,320 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,932
-44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,250
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,874
59% growth from Year 1

About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Admission to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is competitive, with 19% of applicants accepted, one of the larger campuses at 20,556 students in Chapel Hill, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill →

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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for History at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the History field.
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 $505,063 in decade earnings vs $552,858 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's History program stand out?
Ranked #45 of 389 programs nationally, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →