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History at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,876/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (188,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #241 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 $674K $656K $589K
Earnings Multiple 2.5x 2.4x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,138
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,904
92% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,876/yr, edging above the $32,281 national average for History — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 2.4x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

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

At $12,138 in median debt against $36,876 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #241 out of 389 programs, University of Southern California's financial outcomes for History trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $36,876 to $70,904 over five years (92% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Southern California

University of Southern California admits 10% of applicants — among the most selective institutions in the country, one of the larger campuses at 20,817 students in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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

Compare this program → View all 389 schools offering History →

History at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($61,127) Duke University ($60,750) University of Houston-Clear Lake ($57,239) Amherst College ($56,444) Yale University ($54,700) Columbia University in the City of New York ($53,828) Harvard University ($53,468) Northwestern University ($50,161)

Other Majors at University of Southern California

Computer Science ($137,284) Computer Software and Media Applications ($103,071) Real Estate ($98,763) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,684) Industrial Engineering ($87,807) Civil Engineering ($85,262) Mechanical Engineering ($83,356) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($80,508)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare History trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Southern California'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.
How affordable is History at University of Southern California after financial aid?
Sticker price is $272,948, but the average net cost is $127,708 — a 53% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →