Home › University of Rochester › History

History at University of Rochester

Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $16,253/yr (-50% vs median)

AI Risk High (44% exposed)

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

ROI 1.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #362 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	$341K	$355K	$357K
Earnings Multiple	1.3x	1.4x	1.4x
Probability of Field Employment	50%	45%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	30	29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$257,392

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$120,992

53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,000

16.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $16,253/yr fall 50% below the $32,281 national median for History. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The financial case is thin at 1.4x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in History's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,000 against $16,253/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.4 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #362 of 389 History programs, University of Rochester falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Rochester

University of Rochester admits 36% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with a mid-sized student body of 6,488 in Rochester, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $120,992 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Rochester →

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 Rochester

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 Rochester?

A score of 30/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for History. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is History at University of Rochester worth the student debt?

Median debt of $22,000 against $16,253/yr starting salary means roughly 1.4 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

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 $357,470 in decade earnings vs $340,507 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with History from University of Rochester?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Is University of Rochester a hidden gem for History?

After financial aid, the average student pays $120,992 over four years — 53% below the $257,392 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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